Engineering Update - Annual Review 2018

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December 2018

Clear Signaling

of Process Statusess The new signal towers Modlight Pro deliver an extremely intense light output This is true of routine processes as well as unscheduled or even unforeseen events, including dangerous situations. These signals must be so clear that they can be detected easily, even in situations where employees may be under pressure or even stressed. It is stateof-the-art to use signal towers. That’s why it is important to use colors that people already associate with certain kinds of situations. A simple example is at pedestrian cross walks: green for walk and red for don’t walk. Every machine operator can recognize that machines with green signal status are running normally while red indicates a potentially hazardous situation.

Under some circumstances, it is not sufficient to use only visual signals to inform the machine operators of the status and therefore to take the first step towards reducing the length of a downtime period. For example, the environment within the building or the lighting situation may make it difficult to discern things visually. In such cases, audible signaling is essential because it makes the recipient aware via another sense.

The Murrelektronik signal towers in the Modlight Pro series, with diameters of 50 or 70 millimeters, can be used to put together up to five color elements in an individual

Modlight Pro on the shop floor

Every company needs to ensure that its machines and systems are being well utilized and have high runtimes. After all, idle and downtime periods in machines and plants don’t contribute towards economic success. Consequently, production schedulers endeavor to keep downtime to a minimum. In order to intervene as quickly as necessary, it’s important to signal process statuses clearly.

December 2018

free over the entire service life of a machine. This saves time and money!

Compared to the previous models, the optimum arrangement of the signaling system ensures that process statuses can also be identified across long distances.

M12 connector. A special feature is the magnetic base which enables each tower to be mounted quickly, and also removed temporarily for transportation. These towers are very easy to clean because the surface is smooth and rounded.

Download the new Product Guide by clicking on the brochure - Modlight Pro LED signal towers, Comlight57 LED signal lights and Modlight Illumix LED machine light.

These color elements can be clicked together without tools easily and quickly. The elements have practical connection terminals are color coded and represent the color of the light.

This helps reduce the risk of assembly errors. There are also preassembled Modlight Pro signal towers in the most commonly used color combinations.

A buzzer module can be incorporated for audible signaling purposes. It is fitted to the Modlight Pro as a terminal component, thus replacing the cover of the basic element. The buzzer unit is designed to be clearly audible in all directions. With a dip switch, one of four tones can be selected for each signal tower. This means that a clear distinction can be made whenever there are several machines in the same building. The volume level can also be adjusted. A maximum volume level of 90 dB ensures that these acoustic signals can still be heard clearly, even in a loud environment.

Bulb replacement is a thing of the past thanks to the use of innovative and energy-saving LED technology.

LEDs have a very long service life and can usually shine for at least 40,000 hours at full illumination. Even after that, lighting intensity is only slightly reduced, which is scarcely perceptible to the human eye. This means that these towers remain maintenance-

Thanks to their housing, Modlight Pro signal towers fulfill the IP65 protection class. Comprehensive approvals and resistance to vibration enable these units to be used all around the world, opening up versatile options for use in the industrial sector. For example, signal towers can also be used for building automation. These signal towers are available with a plug-in

configuration. In addition to red and green, they are also available in yellow, blue and white. They can be used for the signaling of process statuses, for example in accordance with the specifications of machinery standard IEC 60204-1.

Visit the online shop for data sheets, stock availability and to place an order Contact: Murrelektronik Ltd, sales@murrelektronik.co.uk 0161 728 3133

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December 2018

Digital Rail to take centre stage at Railtex 2019 The term ‘Digital Rail’ is one which brings much discussion around the industry, as Network Rail seeks to create more capacity on an increasingly crowded network by modernising systems and adopting new technologies and innovations to lead the industry into the digital age.

D

igital Rail will be placed under the microscope at Railtex 2019, the UK’s leading exhibition of railway products and services, as industry leaders and experts come together to discuss and explore the challenges and opportunities that this transformation can bring.

A comprehensive programme of presentations, demonstrations and keynote addresses is soon to be confirmed at Railtex 2019, the 14th edition of the show, taking place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from 14-16 May 2019.

The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) recently announced it will be presenting leading digital innovation and technology as part of The Digirail project, an ERDF-funded scheme which aims to establish a cluster of digital rail demonstrations to showcase long term innovation and support to SMEs developing digital products and services within the rail industry.

The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education will present the Digirail project amongst other research and development tools which will support organisations working in the industry’s supply chain. The BCRRE will be exhibiting alongside the Rail Alliance, with the two organisations ideally placed to provide leading support to SMEs in the manufacturing and rolling stock sectors.

A new Digital Rail Forum will also be held for the first time, merging project management with supply chain to allow a collaborative review of the Digital Rail programme, through thought-leadership, insight, sense testing, qualitative engagement and cross-fertilisation to ensure its goals are met. With keynote speakers set to be announced soon, this forum will help establish what a future digital railway can look like and achieve, with the support of the broad scope of industry sectors represented.

Kirsten Whitehouse, exhibition manager for Railtex 2019, said: “Digital is more than just a buzzword in the rail industry, it has a huge part to play in the modernisation of our network and making journey’s better and safer for customers, operators and infrastructure owners.

“At Railtex 2019 we’ll be providing an array of presentations, demonstrations and discussions to help suppliers and railway managers understand and discover how digital technology is transforming the sector. The scope for opportunities is huge and next year’s exhibition is the perfect platform to discover them, bringing the biggest names in rail under one roof to share knowledge and do business. Whether you’re looking for an event to exhibit or make connections Railtex 2019 should be on your radar!”

With a jam-packed programme of CPD-certified events to be confirmed in the soon, Railtex 2019 is the industry’s ideal meeting place for companies serving all aspects of the rail industry to demonstrate their capabilities and meet their future customers. For information see www.railtex.co.uk.

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Connect with us

December 2018

CONTENTS Editor

Wendy McManus 01843 267 690 wendy@engineering-update.co.uk

Publishing Director

Jodie Little 01843 448 443 jodie@jetdigitalmedia.co.uk

Publication Manager

Annual Review 2018 At the forefront of digital marketing, Engineering Update strives to bring its readers the latest in industrial engineering, in a format that provides the best usability and ease of use for it’s readers.

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MBA Engineering becomes sole UK distributor of Remmert’s market-leading automation and storage solutions

Tim Johnston 01843 448 443 tim@engineering-update.co.uk

Publishing House Jet Digital Media Ltd The Mill Spratling Court Office Spratling Court Farm Manston Kent CT12 5AN

Also featured this issue:

www.engineering-update.co.uk

December 2018 The new NMP 830 HP offers improved performance and a compact design.

KNF introduces new micro gas sampling pump NMP 830 HP

Improved flow rate, vacuum and pressure With its NMP series, KNF provides micro gas sampling pumps which have proven their worth over decades of use in a multitude of applications. The new NMP 830 HP offers a high-performance pump with extremely impressive specifications.

The new NMP 830 HP is an extension of the NMP series. This latest innovation offers a much higher flow rate, vacuum and pressure — while keeping the footprint small.

The maximum flow rate is now 10 l/min, the vacuum is 50 mbar abs and the pressure is 3 bar. This gives engineers and developers a decisive advantage when designing equipment for particularly challenging applications. The NMP 830 HP is suitable for many applications such as medical and diagnostics equipment, 4|

ink jet printing, environmental monitoring and security application among other uses.

The diaphragm pump is available with 1 or 2 heads. The components that comes into contact with the medium are available in PPS and EPDM, optionally also in FKM or FFKM. The pump can be used with a range of different motors from the KNF modular system, from inexpensive to high-end models, depending on the operating conditions. www.knf.co.uk

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December 2018

The rise of remanufacturing ~ The economic and environmental benefits of remanufacturing ~

Architecture company Rau designed Brummen Town Hall in the Netherlands to last just 20 years.

Due to shifting municipality borders, the firm opted for reusable materials that will be dismantled and returned to manufacturers at the end of the building’s working life. Here Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of obsolete industrial parts supplier, EU Automation discusses the environmental and economic benefits of remanufacturing.

90

per cent of the materials used to build Brummen Town Hall are recyclable. At the end of the building’s life, little material will go into landfill — instead it will be repurposed for other projects.

Manufacturers too are considering how materials can be reused, one increasingly popular option is remanufacturing. This is the process of disassembling, cleaning and repairing components so that the product can be reassembled for sale at the performance and quality of a new product.

The technique is predominantly used in the aerospace and automotive sectors. Despite having a history of several decades, there remains some confusion about the differences between reconditioned and remanufactured products.

Remanufacturing is a more thorough process, which returns the engine to its original specification, whereas a reconditioned engine may still contain some damaged components.

During the remanufacturing process a product will be collected, inspected, disassembled and then reconditioned and replacement parts added as necessary. The item will then be reassembled, before going through quality assurance and testing to ensure the product is to specification and of a high quality.

The process has been made easier by technologies such as laser metal deposition, which can be used to melt metal powder or wire on a surface. High pressure cold spray technology can also be used to adhere tiny particles to a surface without heat.

Developments in scanning technology mean it is easier to compare the remanufactured part to a gold-standard original and to devise a tool path to correct any differences between the two.

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As good as new The remanufacturing sector has an EU market potential of €90bn by 2030, cementing its important role in the future of manufacturing. It is also an important component of the circular economy, where materials can be part of a continual re-use and recycling system to minimise environmental impacts. The Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse (CRR) was established to promote the technique across Europe. It has led a €1.5 million project, funded by Horizon 2020, to encourage best practise and move remanufacturing to the mainstream.

Because of remanufacturing’s growing popularity, designers are shifting their work to ensure that remanufacturing can be done quickly and easily. Products are therefore being designed with their entire lifecycle in mind, adapting materials and layout accordingly. This lowers the cost and time needed when the time comes

for a product to be remanufactured, as the product is designed to be easy to disassemble and rebuild.

At EU Automation, we believe that when a part can be repaired or replaced, it should be. Investment in entirely new equipment is expensive and often unnecessary. Manufacturers can benefit from reconditioned or remanufactured parts, which help processes to run as normal for extended periods. The process also offers environmental benefits, as less waste will go to landfill, and more material is re-used, just like the timber from the Brummen Town Hall will be at the end of its working life.

For further information contact: Jonathan Wilkins, EU Automation Unit 3, Parker Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford, ST18 0WP Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 30 33 00 http://www.euautomation.com jonathan.wilkins@euautomation.com http://twitter.com/euautomation

December 2018

Comparing the Performance of Optical Gas Imaging Cameras FLIR Systems has published a technical paper that introduces the benefits of using Noise Equivalent Concentration Length (NECL) as a useful method to measure the performance of an Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) camera.

Optical gas imaging (OGI) is widely used in the oil and gas industry to detect leaks.

Operators of gas distribution networks, processing plants, pipeline facilities, terminals, and offshore platforms all want to find and repair leaks to prevent explosions, minimize loss of their product, and comply with environmental and safety regulations. OGI provides a straightforward and affordable method to visualize plumes of gas that would otherwise be invisible, allowing companies to trace and repair the source of the leaks. This imaging technique, which relies on thermal cameras that measure changes in infrared (IR) radiation as it passes through gas, is still relatively new and no official standard yet exists to characterize how good a job any particular camera does at detecting leaks, or to say how small a leak a given camera can find.

The article introduces how Noise Equivalent Concentration Length (NECL), which is a measurement of how much gas over a path of a certain length can be detected above the intrinsic noise of the camera, presents itself as a strong candidate to be used as a standard.

The authors discuss and explain how NECL is easy to set-up and measure, is similar to another familiar measurement (NEDT), and through offering a measure of sensitivity provides a simple objective way to compare the performance of different cameras.

For a copy of this paper please follow this link or contact FLIR Systems in Europe on +32-3665-5100 or gasimaging@flir.com.

Real-time Thermal Analysis FLIR Systems A6750sc MWIR camera is suitable for recording fast thermal events due to its short exposure times and high frame rates.

With its cooled InSb camera, accurate temperature measurements can be carried out on fast moving objects without motion blur and a variety of non-destructive tests can also be performed. The FLIR A6750sc operates in the 3.0 - 5.0 Âľm wavelength range, or 1.0 - 5.0 Âľm when the broadband option is chosen, enabling precision measurements down into the SWIR range.

for electronics inspections or material tests.

Thanks to the high resolution and thermal sensitivity of its sensor, the camera produces razor-sharp, detailed thermal images that are ideal

The FLIR A6750sc offers the versatility of plug-and-play with third-party software due to its GigEVision and GenICam compatibility. It also works

8|

Offering short integration times (< 1ms) and fast frame rates (to 125 Hz), the A6750sc is able to routinely image dynamic thermal processes on surfaces at room temperature.

The maximum frame rate in the smallest frame mode is 4.1 kHz.

seamlessly with the FLIR ResearchIR software which enables intuitive viewing, recording and extended processing of the raw thermal image data.

For the

more information A6750sc MWIR,

about visit

www.flir.co.uk/products/a6750sc-mwir/

or contact FLIR Systems on +323665-5100.

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December 2018

Label 8 PCR tubes at once With Brady Corporation’s new laboratory sample label, up to 8 PCR tubes can be labelled simultaneously. Designed to resist a range of chemicals, and easily printable in any lab with a Brady label printer, the new B-492 PCR tube label is precise, reliable and efficient.

Save time Instead of labelling every PCR tube separately, up to 8 PCR tubes can now be identified simultaneously. Brady’s new B-492 PCR tube label contains 8 smaller, perforated labels in a single label strip. The self-adhesive strip can be applied on 8 PCR tube labels in a rack and can easily be torn after application into separate PCR tube labels thanks to the perforations.

Reliable identification The B-492 PCR tube label is made out of polyester and will resist common lab chemicals, including DMSO, Xylene and Ethanol, as well as low and high temperatures.

Its adhesive is designed to stick to curved PCR tubes so the label doesn’t fall off, even when stored in liquid nitrogen. When printed with a Brady label printer, the ink on the label will not smear or fade and will remain legible throughout processing to enable reliable sample traceability.

Design and print in the lab The new PCR tube label can be designed with Brady Workstation apps to include a barcode, symbol, serial number or other identification. Brady Workstation’s Basic App Suite is available for free and already covers a number of needs. More advanced apps include the possibility to link label printing with the lab’s LIMS-system and come with a 30-day free trial. Once the PCR tube label is designed, simply hit print to send it to a Brady label printer and apply the label on 8 PCR tubes at once.

Samples are available for testing via the Brady website.

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December 2018

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December 2018

Cambridge & Counties Bank partner with FBHVC to fund and train Heritage Engineering apprentices.

• Cambridge & Counties Bank launch as “Finance Partner” to the Federation of Historic Vehicle Clubs.

• Cambridge & Counties Bank to offer £10k bursary to Heritage Engineering apprentices.

• Cambridge & Counties Bank to design and deliver business modules for Heritage Engineering course.

• Historic vehicle industry is worth £5.5 billion to the UK economy

C

ambridge & Counties Bank, who offer finance for classic car purchases, have announced they are to become official ‘Finance Partner’ to the Federation of Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC). The announcement comes on the back of the recent NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, where key figures from the classic car community gathered on board a vintage bus to hear how the new partnership will address the skills shortage within the growing heritage engineering sector, which is currently worth £5.5 billion to the UK economy.

The Heritage Skills Academy brings together experts from across the restoration industry who are committed to teaching the skills required to preserve and restore pre and post-war engineering heritage.

The course is the only one of its kind accredited by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations (OFQUAL). Students that complete the full term will leave with a nationally recognised Advanced Diploma in Heritage Engineering with an option to specialise for a further year. The course covers a range of sectors, including classic motor vehicles, aviation, marine and steam. The main focus is on students aged between 16 and 18 years of age and the Academy is supported by the Government Trailblazer scheme.

The partnership will see Cambridge & Counties bank, which launched its specialist classic car division in the spring, support the FBHVC’s Heritage Engineering apprenticeship scheme, held at the Heritage Skills Academy at Bicester Heritage.

Cambridge & Counties Bank will provide a £10,000 bursary. The

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money will be made available via an application process to help with travel and accommodation.

The support however is not just financial, as Cambridge & Counties Bank will also be designing and delivering the business modules within the curriculum as well.

Managers and key subject experts from within the bank will be passing on training to ensure the apprentices are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to run a business and manage finances.

Mike Kirsopp, CEO of Cambridge & Counties Bank explains; “It is vitally important that we nurture and support skills for the future. Apprentices entering the world of heritage engineering will likely be working within small businesses or a business of their own and so equipping them with the understanding of finance, cash flow, accounting and asset management will be critical to their future success. We have the expertise and passion here at Cambridge & Counties Bank to support these students and play our part in preserving the future for historic vehicles.”

David Whale, Chairman of the FBHVC said ahead of the launch; “Having Cambridge & Counties Bank as our finance partner will help the federation in its work to champion the cause of transport heritage in the UK. The bank’s approach to supporting our students through a balance of commercial assistance and the offer of training and apprenticeships reflects their obvious commitment to supporting the classic car sector and the thousands of skilled jobs it creates.”

For further information on Cambridge & Counties Bank, visit www.classiccarbank.co.uk or call 0344 225 3939.

December 2018

Protect your people, plant and processes Stay SAFE from STATIC Working in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical or food and beverage industries?

From manual handling to industrial processing, the risk of generating static electricity is ever present. Transferring or mixing gases, liquids or solids, particularly in hazardous areas, could see a spark discharge, causing an explosion in your plant.

Let Newson Gale help you mitigate such risks, using certified grounding and bonding clamps, visual verification systems and interlocking control units.

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December 2018

Why buy when you can rent?

In times of economic uncertainty, the rental of expensive pieces of equipment can be the most costeffective solution to acquiring items such as specialist plant or test equipment without the need for large capital outlays. More and more companies are now using rental as the preferred solution to their needs, as it frees up money to focus on its core activities without compromising growth or levels of service.

T

here are many benefits of instrument rental rather than ownership in the test and measurement arena.

Immediate access to a wide range of the most up-to-date technology is one advantages, especially as tests that often used to take hours to conduct can now be undertaken more easily, faster, and more accurately than those taken a few years go. Availability of equipment when you need it, particularly if multiple units are required for a specific project, is also a positive benefit. Rental of instrumentation ensures that no money is tied up when they are not being used, and often there are hidden costs to ownership that are not considered when initially making

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a large equipment purchase such as maintenance which can be expensive if items are infrequently used.

With such a wide range of instruments available to today’s commissioning specialists, rental does allow for a better planning of costs on a project-by-project basis.

For example, if you need a mid range thermal imaging camera the cost to purchase in the region of £7,000.

However, to rent for a two-day period the cost would be approximately £300, so hiring of the units does become a very attractive proposition if a job can be undertaken quickly.

When selecting a supplier for rental, careful consideration must be given to the level of service expected.

Does the rental company operate a quality accredited calibration system for the items it offers for hire, a simple question to ask but one that is often overlooked.

Correct calibration is of paramount importance especially in safety critical environments, so no facilities could be why the rental cost is cheep.

Likewise does the company offer any technical back up to the products within its rental range, or does it simply refer the user back to the manufacturer if a problem arises. Is the rental company tied to a single supplier, or does it source it from the best equipment manufacturers from around the world?

In summary, instrument rental can be a cost-effective solution to acquiring expensive pieces of instrumentation especially if it is only used on an ad-hoc basis. Careful selection of the rental company is important, and choosing one not tied to a single manufacturer ensures access to the best suppliers around the world.

Alan Gilbert – General Manager BSRIA Instrument Solutions Tel No.: 01344 459314 W: www.bsria.co.uk/instruments

December 2018

SMALLER JUST GOT STRONGER

PFC100 Controller: High performance packed into a smaller footprint

W: www.bsria.co.uk/instruments T: 0800 254 5566 (UK Free) +44 (0) 1344 459 314 (International)

• Extremely compact and maintenance-free design saves control panel space • 600 MHz processing power allows seamless automation of complex industrial systems • Cost-effective configuration via e!COCKPIT engineering software • Scalable modular system ready for future challenges • Comprehensive on-board data security packages • Two ETHERNET interfaces for extensive compatibility • Linux® operating system • CODESYS 3 runtime system Telephone E-Mail Internet Search for

01788 568 008 ukmarketing@wago.com www.wago.com “WAGO PFC100”

|15

December 2018

Lemo expands the high performance anglissimo range of interconnect solutions at southern manufacturing & electronics 2019 LEMO will be exhibiting its latest addition to the high performance Anglissimo range of interconnect solutions at Southern Manufacturing Exhibition, 5th to 7th February 2019 at FIVE, Farnborough Stand E180. This versatile range of push pull connectors offers designer engineers the ability to configure cable exit angles during installation and is now available with a watertight IP68 protection rating suitable for outdoor applications.

For further details, contact: LEMO (UK) Ltd, TEL: +44(0)1903 234543, WEBSITE: www.lemo.com or LEMO (UK) Ltd, Stand No. E180

pressure sensors KELLER (UK) Ltd. Little Keep Gate, Barrack Road, Dorchester, DT1 1AH UK and Ireland: T. 0845 643 2855 F. 0845 643 2866 E-Mail: sales@keller-pressure.co.uk Web: www.keller-pressure.co.uk www.keller-druck.com

PIEZORESISTIVE OEM PRESSURE

TRANSMITTER 4 LD…9LD WITH I²C INTERFACE

AND EMBEDDED SIGNAL CONDITIONING – No external components – Ranges 0…1 bar thru to 0…200 bar – Accuracy, error band +/- 0,5%, 0…50 °C – Sizes Ø 11 m, 15 mm, 17 mm, 19 mm bar – Very low power consumption

PRECISION PRESSURE TRANSMITTER 33 X – Ranges 0…0,2 bar thru to 0…1000 bar, adjustable – Output signals: 4…20 mA, 0…10 V, RS485 Digital – Mathematical on-board error correction – Accuracy, error band 0,1 %FS, 10…40 °C – Optional enhanced precision to ± 0,01 %FS

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December 2018

Don’t Overlook Gantry Robots

Engineering Update’s Editor Wendy Mcmanus Interviews Troy McCourt of Güdel UK.

Q A

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Wendy Mcmanus: What is your view on the state of the robotics sector in the UK? Troy McCourt: It is common knowledge that the UK has continued to lag behind other industrial nations in the uptake of robotics, and this stance has had a negative effect on the UK’s productivity as a whole.

The future however does look more promising as manufacturers now realise not only the need but also the urgency with which we have to automate because of the benefits that automation and robotics in particular can bring. This is all brought into perspective by the statistics for UK robot population,

outside of the automotive sector, per 10,000 employees.

The UK figure is just 39 whereas Germany boasts an impressive

181. Over 4 times that of the UK, so clearly we have some catching up to do!

December 2018

Q A

Wendy Mcmanus: Can you tell me what differentiates Gantry Robots from other robot types?

Troy McCourt: As you know, robots come in all shapes and sizes ranging from small SCARA types through sophisticated 6 axis systems to gantry robots. The limitation, if we can call it that, of articulated arm robots is that they have a fixed configuration. That is they have a pre-determined reach and work envelope. The main advantage of the gantry robot is the capability to address large or unusual working envelopes.

There are several major features that differentiate Gantry robots. One is the ability to span great areas, but with a minimal footprint. A Gantry Robot can easily work over the top of a number of machine tools without impacting on the access to those machines, and with just a small footprint for the support sections. Another is the ability to configure the system to meet the exact needs of the application. We have supplied Gantry Robot Systems up to 100 metres in length. Also, the rigidity of Güdel Gantry Robots allows them to handle large payloads, but still match the accuracy and repeatability of other robot types.

Q A

Q A

Wendy Mcmanus: Are there specific industry sectors where Gantry Robots are more suited?

Troy McCourt: Due to their different configuration, gantries are a niche solution, so almost all sectors have applications where a Gantry robot is the best solution. Güdel has supplied Gantry Robots into the Automotive, Aerospace, Nuclear, Logistics, Food, Rail, Energy and Tyre industries for a wide variety of applications. As I mentioned before, the ability to be able to tailor a Gantry Robot to the specific application means that they are suited to certain applications in all industries. New application areas emerge all the time, and Güdel is currently active within the Modular Building sector, where we have Gantry robots producing items such as roof trusses and wall panels, and in other parts of the world Gudel gantries are even being used for 3D concrete printing of modular housing.

Q A

Wendy Mcmanus: You mention that Gantry Robots are suited to all industry sectors, can you give an example of one of the most innovative applications you have been involved with?

Troy McCourt: Yes, for example, Güdel Gantry robots are an integral part of the production systems for the A380 aircraft wing Outer Rear Spar, transporting the specialist tooling systems used to produce the multitude of holes on each component. In another of the more unusual applications, a 5 axis Güdel Gantry system uses a 1.0m diameter wheel, combined with force monitoring, to create a highly polished mirror finish on aircraft fuselage sections. The capability of the Gantry robot to span great distances, makes them the perfect solution for these applications.

Wendy Mcmanus: Finally, how is Güdel placed to meet future market challenges?

Troy McCourt: Güdel is a Swiss family owned business with a heritage spanning 3 generations. Today the company has over 1,200 employees, a presence in 30 locations worldwide, and an enviable reputation as a supplier of high precision machine components and intelligent automation solutions.

With credentials such as these, plus a philosophy of ongoing technical innovation, Güdel is well placed to take advantage of the many opportunities for automation which the future holds.

For more information about Güdel visit the website at www.gudel.com

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December 2018

Schools to design the future of engineering Schools across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to sign up to the Primary Engineer & Secondary Engineer Leaders Award, which has been launched at Ulster University with Thales and the Royal Navy by Stephen Metcalfe, MP, UK Government Envoy for the Year of Engineering. The awards have had extraordinary success across the UK in encouraging children to see engineering as a viable career that changes the world. In the last academic year over 37,000 children got involved in the competition which posed the question “If you were an engineer, what would you do?”.

The Leaders Award has been made possible by three key partners; Belfast-based Thales, a global technology provider in aerospace, defence, transport & security, Ulster University, which specialises in a broad multi-disciplinary approach to Engineering in both Education and Research; and its application in solving real-world industry related problems and the Royal Navy.

The Leaders Award forms a key element of Primary Engineer Programmes – a not for profit organisation that offers schools, teachers and pupils projects to embed engineering in their curriculum and develop skills. The competition challenges pupils from 3-19 to answer the question; “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” pupils are required to interview an engineer, ask questions that help to develop a seed of an idea, then draw and annotate their idea. It culminates in an awards ceremony and public exhibition. One of the designs will be selected by Ulster University to build into a prototype which will be unveiled the following year In this last academic year Primary Engineer Programmes reached over 56,000 school children, engaged with over 1300 engineers and nearly 4,000 teachers.

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Professor Colin Turner, Ulster University Professor of Engineering Education commented; “The student experience is at the forefront of the learning experience at Ulster University and we work with a long list of industry partners to ensure that our graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the industry. The launch of the Primary Engineer & Secondary Engineer Leaders Award has great synergies with our work at Ulster University and alongside our partners will create a platform to engage with and celebrate the best and brightest engineers of the future.”

The launch of the Northern Ireland Primary Engineer & Secondary Engineer Leaders Award in 2018 is highly relevant as the industry makes a seismic shift towards encouraging young people into engineering. A goal that has been emphasised during the UK Government’s Year of Engineering.

Primary Engineer has been a key stakeholder organisation for the Year of Engineering and the competition has formed a key part of pupil engagement with engineering.

HM Government Envoy for the Year of Engineering, Stephen Metcalfe MP, said: “Showing young people where their curiosity and creativity could take them is at the heart of the Year of Engineering. It’s been fantastic to see the impact of the

Primary Engineer & Secondary Leaders Award throughout the year, giving children the chance to solve real engineering challenges, and bringing them face to face with engineers who shape our future, making the world a safer, cleaner and better place.

“Northern Ireland has a rich engineering heritage, and I am delighted to see Thales, Ulster University and the Royal Navy working with Primary Engineer to launch the Leaders Award here. I have no doubt that their combined enthusiasm and expertise will inspire schoolchildren across the country and bring about a positive change in the number of young people realising what they could achieve as engineers.”

Susan Scurlock, Founder of Primary Engineer added; “This is just the beginning for school pupils in Northern Ireland, we look forward to seeing first hand just how creative, inventive and ingenious the pupils will be. We are proud to be working with Thales, Ulster University and the Royal Navy to bring the competition to allow even more pupils to design the future of engineering”.

Primary Engineer welcomes all schools to sign up to the free competition by visiting www.leadersaward.com

Printed from: Serif PagePlus 15,0,5,30 Copyright © 1991-2010 Serif (Europe) Ltd. All Rights Reserved Printed on: 29/02/2016 12:32:24 Publication name: Half_Page_Advert_Eng_Update_130x190, Page: 1

December 2018

SHEAR simplicity for drive protection…

Pin & Bush coupling

Gear Coupling Spacer

Chain coupling

DIN / SAE Spacer

Unique Wedge construction gives ZERO backlash FAST RESET - drive re-set in minutes Clamping screws give positive axial location so the shear neck cannot be displaced from the correct position between flanges.

Multiple pins gives a very high torque capacity within compact dimensions.

Shear necks are standardised and coded, giving safe, tamper proof repeatability and spares economy.

'Fail safe' under all conditions, the Wedgegard is not effected by changes in temperature or humidity. The ability to release is not dependent on mechanism lubrication.

Sprocket coupling

Rigid coupling

Email : sales@howdon.co.uk Web : www.howdon.co.uk Phone: 01453 750814

Fluid Carrying

Flexibility Articulated Torsion Pipework In Hoses Rotating Cylinders

Swivel Joints Swivel joints allow pipework to pressure 1/4” to 40” and beyond.

Vacuum to over 20,000psi.

Stock and bespoke production.

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|21

December 2018

Improving productivity with facial recognition In 2018, Facebook faced a class action lawsuit over its use of facial recognition technology. The lawsuit alleged that Facebook gathered biometric information without users’ explicit consent. Technology has rapidly caught up with the human ability to read faces, progressing to a stage where facial recognition could improve industrial security.

Here Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at obsolete industrial parts supplier EU Automation, explores the topic.

Facial recognition is similar to other forms of biometric identification, such as using someone’s voice, iris or fingerprint to identify them. A computer analyses a photograph or video and looks for a specific set of markers within it, making a decision on whether there is a match. Comparing aspects of a face in this way is like comparing lines in a fingerprint but far more advanced. If the program finds a certain threshold of similarity between the photograph and the face, a match is declared.

Facial recognition has already worked well for simple jobs like finding particular faces in a photo, but actually identifying an unknown match is much more difficult. If we can overcome this, the technology could be used to drastically improve safety and security on the factory floor by identifying potential hackers if they enter the facility.

Improving safety The manufacturing industry could use facial recognition to keep track of where workers are on the factory floor, ensuring their safety in case of emergency.

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The more commonly used methods of tracking employees, such as key cards, are not only easy to bypass, but do not provide the level of security required when entering classified areas.

Facial recognition could help to ensure that employees working at specific stations have had the necessary training to operate a piece of machinery. If the system recognises that the employee’s identity does not match the training record, the plant manager could be notified and another member of staff located to carry out the task instead.

On-site security Alternatively, plant managers can use facial recognition to manage on-site security. Key cards can be stolen by outsiders and, without facial recognition technology, unauthorised personnel might be able to gain access to secure information on-site.

Facial recognition helps identify anyone entering a manufacturing plant and can ensure that only people that have been granted access can enter.

Previously, some of the largest organisations in the world including the Department of Defence have experienced security breaches caused by the use of unauthorised USBs. Even today, the majority of cyber security problems are initiated by USBs, usually after being entered into a machine by someone without authorisation.

Once the hacker has access to the IT system, it is easy for them to gain access to operating equipment, such as industrial PCs, human machine interfaces and programmable logic controllers. This is because they are usually all connected on the same network. Ensuring people that could potentially carry out such activities don’t have access to the equipment in the first place is the crucial step in securing the factory.

To learn a lesson from Facebook, we’d suggest that plant managers obtain permission before collecting and storing facial data. Once consent is granted, facial recognition could be the perfect way for plant managers to improve operations and reduce cyber security breaches.

Talk to the experts in oxygen gas analysis.

Cambridge Sensotec has been specialising in the manufacture of oxygen gas analysis equipment for over 17 years. Dynamic and flexible, Cambridge Sensotec continues to expand with an established worldwide distribution network and ISO 9001 accreditation.

Manufacturers of oxygen and multigas gas analysers means that Cambridge Sensotec can fulfil gas analysis requirements within a broad range of applications such as gloveboxes, welding, inert gas blanketing, solder reflow ovens, additive manufacturing, research and development industry and metal heat treatment.

A range of servicing and support options are available such as calibration. This significantly increases the measurement, reliability and repeatability of gas analysis equipment. A full calibration service is available via state-of-the-art automated calibration stations, designed to calibrate Rapidox gas analysers accurately and efficiently. www.cambridge-sensotec.co.uk sales@cambridge-sensotec.co.uk Telephone: 01480 462142

December 2018

Elmo Motion Control doubles the power for miniature servo drive range: Credit card-sized servo drive for high-power and high-performance distributed motion control Recently announced by Elmo Motion Control (Elmo), the Double Gold Twitter miniature servo drive delivers up to 160 A continuous current at 80 V DC from an ultra-small PCB mounted package. As a UK distribution partner for the global market leader of advanced motion solutions, Heason Technology can supply the drive as a component with full product support or as part of a comprehensive mechatronic motion control solution using its in-house design and build capability.

The new drive, developed from Elmoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already powerful and highly compact Gold Twitter series, utilises the global market leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative Fast and Soft Power Switching Technology (FASST) which ensures optimal powerdevice switching. Almost doubling the power of the well-proven drive range, its 99 percent efficiency and negligible electro-magnetic interference brings industry best advantages for advanced motion control applications where minimal footprint and highly dynamic servo performance is essential. For maximum application flexibility, EtherCAT networking enables microsecond level multiaxis synchronisation or alternatively CANopen may be specified for less exacting axis and I/O coordination.

All common types of servo feedback are supported and furthermore, Safe Torque Off (STO) to level SIL-3 can be integrated for industry standard machine safety.

its maximum continuous electrical power output is up to 11 kW, it is equally suited to lower power use and benefits from a wide operating range with supply voltages from 11 to 95 VDC for the 100 VDC supply version. Special voltage versions are available with operating ranges from 20 to 195 VDC for a 200 V DC supply.

Both brushed and brushless motors can be driven and feedback may be configured for single, dual and gantry loop with absolute or incremental encoders or resolvers. Additional USB and RS232 ports on both network communications options serve as setup, option programming and motor tuning ports using the WindowsÂŽ based Elmo Application Studio II (EASII) software.

Heason Technology sees the Double Gold Twitter as an important addition to its servo drive range. Through its inhouse systems integration capability, the drive can be specified as an integral part of high precision motion systems comprising custom designed or standard positioning mechanics and motion controls for a wide range of applications across industry, research and defence.

The West Sussex based motion systems integrator represents a select number of leading global manufacturing partners, providing a comprehensive range of first-class motion control components that are supplied with full support or combined with its design and build service for complete motion system solutions.

At just 33 grams and measuring less than 50 x 37 x 19 mm (length x width x depth), the Double Gold Twitter has minimal weight effect if integrated on a moving load. This makes the diminutive drive ideal for close-tomotor mounting or integration with the motor housing - and with EtherCAT (or Ethernet) and CANopen fieldbus options it can be part of a distributed networking topology which has the cost benefit of much reduced machine wiring reduced cabinet hardware.

The powerful Double Gold Twitter drive is available in two standard versions capable of producing continuous currents of 160 A at 80 V and 140 A at 100 V. Although

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www.heason.com

December 2018

|25

December 2018

Flexibility in every aspect

SSI Schaefer, one of the global market leaders and innovators in the intralogistics sector, continues to expand its comprehensive shuttle portfolio for small load carriers with the innovative SSI Flexi Shuttle. Powered by supercapacitors, the innovative single-level shuttle system can handle a variety of stored goods with a capacity of up to 50kg, thanks to the adjustable-width load handling device. The unique feature of this system is the dynamically adaptable storage location sizes according to the dimensions of the stored goods. This feature is possible thanks to flexible positioning in the racking system.

The single-level shuttle is designed for use in highly dynamic automated miniload systems with a wide variety of stored goods. It combines the technology of the SSI Schaefer shuttle portfolio with the broad industry knowhow of SSI Schaeferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intralogistics experts and stands out due to its high level of flexibility over the entire product life cycle.

With the SSI Flexi Shuttle, SSI Schaefer is not only offering an innovative solution, but also a modular concept, which combines shuttles, lifts, and a racking system. It allows the creation of bespoke systems with outstanding use of space.

The system is suitable for single, double and multipledeep storage with variable height and width partitions up to an aisle length of 150m and a height of up to 30m.

Having a comprehensive system that can efficiently store a broad spectrum of loading units and dimensions in a space optimised manner is a significant advantage. The ability to handle a range of loading units with dimensions of up to 860 x 680mm is guaranteed by a universal load handling device, which is adjustable in width. Within one racking system it is possible to efficiently and safely store a mixture of cubic and conical bins (totes), cartons and trays weighing up to 50kg.

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The new, fully automated, high performance shuttle plays an important part not only in sustainably increasing energy efficiency, but also in optimising costs throughout the entire logistics chain when analysing the total cost of ownership (TCO). The integration of supercapacitors as an energy source guarantees maximum performance density at the highest levels of technical performance.

They also function as temporary energy-storage units whilst energy is recovered during braking processes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new SSI Flexi Shuttle will be an important addition to our shuttle family, helping to increase the market coverage of our fully automated storage systems,â&#x20AC;? explains Peter Berlik. Whether single-level or multi-level solutions for the handling of pallets, trays, cartons, or bins (totes), the scope of SSI Schaefer shuttle systems is comprehensive and fits perfectly into almost any modern warehouse. Thanks to an extensive shuttle portfolio, the intralogistics experts can create an optimised storage solution with fast materials transport and short access times. ENDS T +44 (0)1264 386600 www.ssi-schaefer.com

December 2018

Precise coolant filtration VDF vortex dynamic filter One-pass filtration: > 90% of 5µm particles One-pass filtration: > 99% of 25µm particles Filters both ferrous and non-ferrous Simple waste disposal options – automated operation available Wide range of sizes and capacities 9 models: flows from 10 lpm to 1,000 lpm Body materials: 9 in SUS13 & 3 in resin (PA6)

• • • •

VDF 70 - 70 lpm

No foaming, cleaner coolant, longer tool life Reduced running costs, low maintenance Element-free, no filter element replacement costs The environmentally friendly one-pass solution

Aeration&Mixing Ltd Sheffield UK T: +44 (0) 1302 215 156

Web: http://www.aerationmixing.co.uk E-mail: enquiries@aerationmixing.co.uk

VDF 1000 – 1,000 lpm

Fluid Carrying

• Vibration Sensors (IEPE + 4-20mA) • Test & Measurement Sensors • Hazardous Area Vibration Sensors • Seismic Sensors • Hydrophones • Vector Sensors • Proximity Probes • Vibration Switches

Flexibility

Certifications Including FM, CSA, ATEX and IECEx Offer Compliance to Customers Worldwide

Articulated Torsion Pipework In Hoses Rotating Cylinders

• Cable Assemblies • Enclosures • Vibration Transmitters • Supportive Instrumentation

Swivel Joints Swivel joints allow pipework to pressure 1/4” to 40” and beyond.

Vacuum to over 20,000psi.

Stock and bespoke production.

Unique bearing/seal design for longer life.

ISO 9001 CE marked where applicable.

New Inclinometer range!

Visit our website for more information

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E-mail:

|27

Events

December 2018

The Smart way to Industry 4.0 with PROFINET Based Technologies Co-organized by PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI UK) and the European Interreg Project INCASE (“Industry 4.0 via Networked Control Applications and Sustainable Engineering”, this free-to-attend seminar addresses the key practical issues arising from the use of digital communications technologies in automated manufacturing and process industry applications, with particular attention to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0.

Covering key application areas such as mechanical handling and logistics, robotics, automotive engineering, electrical and electronics assembly, control systems and energy management, utilities, pharmaceutical, packaging and printing, it focuses on the practical aspects of using PROFINET and IO-Link, from system design and safety considerations through to fault-finding and maintenance.

Supported by demonstrations of actual tools used in configuration and maintenance, the seminar will be of great value to Designers, Production/System Engineers, Instrument Technicians/ Engineers and C&I Engineers involved in design, operation and maintenance of modern automated factories and process plant.

Part of the day is with parallel tracks, so that you can either refresh your knowledge as a beginner in PROFINET or as a more experienced user find new ideas for applications. The event is highly recommended for people who have attended our previous events.

Topics will include:

Exhibition

•

The event will also feature an interactive exhibition plus a special demonstration of the INCASE Interreg 2 Seas Project showing how redundant networks “survive” massive EMI disturbance, demonstration of oversampling techniques in IO Devices, I-Devices running MATLAB generated code, … all the way up to co-simulation technology using Siemens NX.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Overview of PI’s technologies current and developing technologies for Industry 4.0 PROFINET basics Ethernet’s upper physical layer finally unveiled IO-Link for the “last metres” communication Process Automation networks with PROFIBUS and PROFINET Network Safety & Security Cybersecurity PROFIBUS DP / PA diagnostics EMC for networks PROFINET diagnostics Redundancy for PROFINET networks Designing & virtual commissioning: co-simulation with Siemens NX PROFINET’s “oversampling” and “I-Device” features: industrial cases for control and signal processing

The event will provide delegates with an excellent networking opportunity and the ability to discuss technical issues with our experts.

PI Technologies With over 80 million nodes installed worldwide, PROFIBUS, PROFINET and IO-Link are truly market leaders, providing state of the art digital communications addressing all the needs of manufacturing and process industries, significantly lowering capital expenditure on installation, commissioning and maintenance.

They offer unprecedented integration of automation, control, monitoring and safety systems using standardised and widely supported communications and networking solutions.

Click here to register for Coventry, 26 March 2019 Click here to register for The Crystal, 28 March 29

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More about INCASE ...

14th International Exhibition of Railway Equipment, Systems & Services

019 #Railtex2019

@railtex

www.railtex.co.uk

14 - 16 MAY 2019 NEC, BIRMINGHAM, UK

The show for everyone involved in shaping the future of UK rail

Events

December 2018

Straightpoint Wins Rigging ServicesSponsored LEEA Safety Award Load cell manufacturer Straightpoint (SP) won the inaugural Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) Safety Award, presented in front of over 260 guests at a gala event staged on the first night of last week’s LiftEx trade show in Milton Keynes, UK. Sponsored by lifting and rigging equipment provider Rigging Services, it was one of eight trophies to be given out on the evening as LEEA, the leading authority in the industry, used its flagship event to make a definitive move to recognise member companies and individual representatives for their success against specific judging criteria.

SP was also shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year, Innovative Product of the Year, Sustainable Solution of the Year, and Unsung Hero categories. Customer Service, Manager of the Year, and the Kevin Holmes Award (a memorial accolade developed to reward companies, teams, and individuals who display excellence in people development) completed the list of honours.

Doug Price, technical manager at Rigging Services, presented David Ayling, director at SP, with the hefty piece of silverware.

Celebrity guest speaker Matt Dawson, a retired England rugby union player and now a familiar face on UK television, joined them on stage. The evening was also notable for raising over £2,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Ayling said: “The concept generally was well received and from a member’s perspective the evening was a great success, befitting of an excellent LiftEx in totality. To emerge victorious in the safety category was overwhelming given LEEA’s stature in the industry and the extent to which safety is in our company’s DNA. We underscore our work with the mantra ‘making the lifting industry a safer place’ and what stronger endorsement could there be that we’re meeting that objective?”

Safety as priority Paul Fulcher, director at Rigging Services, said: “Safety has always been a number one priority at our company; for employees, that’s inculcated in them from their first

30|

(left to right): Dr. Ross Moloney, CEO at LEEA; David Ayling, director at SP; Doug Price, technical manager at Rigging Services; and Matt Dawson.

day. Sponsorship of this award was therefore natural in that it encapsulates our own ethos and we would likely find ourselves kindred spirits with the eventual winners. We’re honoured to be associated with LEEA; the awards concept, which defines its work; and the safety-centricity of this particularly category.”

Fulcher, who is also halfway through a two-year tenure as LEEA chairman, added: “I had two reasons for offering my congratulations to David and SP— one with my company hat on and the other as a representative of the association. The integrity of the awards must be absolute. Beyond that, with regards to the Safety Award, it can’t be subjective; there are objective measurements. A single nominee wouldn’t guarantee a winner, nor would the judges have bestowed the honour upon the best of a bad bunch. Thus,

it must have been the opinion of the panel [comprising senior LEEA management and honorary life members] that SP were truly deserving—and that warrants sincere commendation.”

In a statement prepared for media, Dr. Ross Moloney, CEO at LEEA, said: “The LEEA Awards is all about recognising the excellence of our members and showcasing it to the global lifting industry and to end user markets. The response has been overwhelmingly positive—from the high number and impressive standard of entries to an outstanding turnout for an incredible evening. I thank all those companies and individuals that took the time to enter.

Congratulations to all the finalists and, of course, the winners and special thanks to our sponsors for their outstanding support.” www.straightpoint.com

3

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Contact Gary Gilmour, Event Director | +44 (0)1642 438 225 | info@industry40summit.com

December 2018

OmniTest ™ Universal Testing Machine with VectorPro MT software – break your specimens not your budget!

F

rom its headquarters in West Sussex, Mecmesin has been designing and manufacturing force measuring solutions for over 40 years. The company’s flexible testing systems are used in R&D centres, quality control laboratories and manufacturing facilities across the globe.

All of the company’s considerable knowledge and experience has been applied to its new range of materials testing systems the OmniTest™ Universal Testing Machine (UTM) controlled by VectorPro MT software.

The OmniTest provides the ideal solution to materials testing at a competitive price.

Properties of metals, plastics, polymers, alloys, composites, wood, fabrics, glass, laminates and ceramics can be characterised in tension and compression up to 50 kN, without breaking the budget.

The OmniTest range features exceptional rigidity with minimal deflection at full extension and load and ample space to accommodate most sizes of test specimen.

New electronics provide outstanding motor control with a comprehensive speed range from as low as 0.05 mm/min right up to 1200 mm/min and a positional resolution of 1 micron.

The OmniTest control panel, features an easy-to-use front panel for selection of display parameters and precise jog-control for rapid crosshead positioning.  OmniTest 50 kN UTM

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 VectorPro MT software

At the heart of the OmniTest lies VectorPro MT control and acquisition software. Powerful, intuitive and touch screen friendly, VectorPro MT has been designed with ease of use at the forefront through an intuitive drag & drop test builder.

It is intuitive to use with minimal training.

The icon-based interface acts like a ‘wizard’ taking the user quickly step-by-step through even the most elaborate and complex test routines, with the ability to refine as you go.

Featuring built-in stress-strain calculations and powerful reporting tools, VectorPro MT is suited to both quality assurance checks at the point of manufacture, and the QC or R&D laboratory for in-depth analysis of material properties.

Mecmesin offers a range of digital contacting extensometers, enabling VectorPro MT to accurately calculate the strain for elastic, ductile and brittle materials.

For medical and pharmaceutical customers VectorPro MT provides audit trail and e-signature functionality to help facilitate compliance to FDA 21 CFR Part 11.

Mecmesin offers an extensive range of grips and fixtures for the OmniTest ensuring secure, distortion-free gripping of specimens. Mecmesin’s team of design engineers can design bespoke grips and fixtures for non-standard applications.

Customers across all industries can benefit from the quality and precision of the OmniTest UTMs. From safety-critical plastic materials used in medical devices through to metallic components used in aerospace.

OmniTest-5.0™ Universal Test Machine

& VectorPro MT Materials Testing Software � Ideal for product and materials testing applications up to 5 kN � 4 multi-function buttons for easy operation � Active load holding to apply & maintain a consistent stress or load � Active force control for constant force/stress testing � ELS loadcells with excellent accuracy across the load range � Rigid frame with lightweight construction � Integrated cable management � Extensometer ready � VectorPro MT Software • Intuitive drag & drop GUI for fast test creation • Touch-screen enabled • Customisable results & PDF reporting tool

Contact us for a quote w: www.mecmesin.com t: +44 (0) 1403 799979 e: info@mecmesin.com

Mecmesin FORCE & TORQUE TEST SOLUTIONS

The Annual Review

December 2018

Rittal Offers Opportunity Test Drive the Perforex Rittal is offering UK customers the chance to ‘test drive’ its Perforex machining and automation systems before they buy.

Rittal Perforex machining centres are a major advance for switchgear manufacturing. They are designed to automate the creation of bore holes, cut-outs and threads in mounting plates, enclosure doors and side panels. It means that the timeconsuming and mechanical processing steps required for the preparation of enclosure panels can now be accomplished in a single work step to an extremely high degree of accuracy. The work can be simply programmed into the Perforex to be repeated multiple times for fast, effective batch processing.

Customers are being invited to Rittal’s new Working Demonstration Centre in Rotherham to see a working demonstration model of the Perforex.

They can bring examples of their own enclosure modification projects using Rittal AE enclosures and compare the quality of finish they’re currently achieving, as well as the time a job takes, with that delivered by the Perforex.

“The Perforex really is a game-changer for panel builders,” says Paresh Kansara, Rittal’s Product Manager for Industrial and Outdoor Enclosures.

“Automation of mundane and routine tasks improves accuracy and quality, as well as increasing productivity and customer satisfaction.

“We’ve heard of projects that would have taken up four hours, now completed in 20 minutes to a consistently high standard of finish, whether the order was for one panel, or 100. And because it’s cleaner and there’s less waste, it can also transform the working environment.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to offer a noobligation opportunity for customers to see it in action and ‘test drive’ it in the UK. We’re looking forward to demonstrating it to them.”

Rittal’s Working Demonstration Centre also includes a RiMatrix Rig – Rittal’s integrated modular solution

The Perforex solution ENCLOSURES

POWER DISTRIBUTION

CLIMATE CONTROL

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December 2018

to Solution

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The Annual Review

for IT infrastructures - and a working IT chiller, which demonstrates Rittal’s ongoing commitment in preparation for IoT demands and delivering edge computing solutions.

The Perforex is one of a range of automated tools, developed by Rittal, to support panel building and switchgear manufacturing.

They include tools to help with: • handling and ergonomics in the assembly of mounting plates and panels • cutting centres for effortlessly cutting cable ducts, cable duct covers and support rails • automated wiring to automatically wire enclosure mounting plates, which is a huge time-saving advance – potentially saving 15 working hours per enclosure To book a Perforex Free Trial customers should contact their Local Rittal Area Sales Manager, or email information@rittal.co.uk.

Further information at www.rittal.co.uk and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com or on twitter @rittal_ltd.

IT INFRASTRUCTURE

SOFTWARE & SERVICES

The Annual Review

December 2018

Excitement builds at the IET FIRST® LEGO® League Cambridge preview event This week, almost 100 school children from across East Anglia attended a FIRST® LEGO® League preview event at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering, in preparation for the Cambridge regional tournament in January. Two workshop sessions were held for participating teams to provide them with the opportunity to see the robots in action, and discover the various challenges of the day.

FIRST® LEGO® League is a global education initiative for students aged between 9 and 16, where teams of up to ten complete a series of roboticsthemed challenges and build and program an autonomous robot, using a LEGO® Mindstorms® kit. Winners of the Cambridge regional tournament will be given the opportunity to progress to the UK and Ireland final in February, and then on to one of three international events, including the World Festival in Detroit, Michigan, April 24-27.

During the preview event, representatives from Conscious Communications and the Department of Engineering explained more about the FIRST® LEGO® League Cambridge tournament. Guided by experts in the engineering industry, teachers, students and parents were able to get hands on with the challenge kits, testing their robots on the challenge mats, Maria Kettle, Outreach Officer, Department of Engineering commented: “FIRST® LEGO® League

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aims to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals and it is a fantastic way to develop young people’s skills in robotics and coding.

We felt it was important to run this preview event for students to get a feel for the challenge day, especially for the 13 schools which are competing for the first time. We look forward to welcoming back the teams for the main event in January!”

FIRST® LEGO® League is supported globally by Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. and its affiliates, with sponsorship that helps to fund participation – on a local level, this includes the provision of free LEGO® kits to eight sponsored teams in the county of Cambridgeshire.

Neil Matthews, Computer Science teacher, from Qualcomm sponsored North Cambridge Academy, said: “The FIRST® LEGO® League is a great opportunity for our students to develop skills outside of, but complementary to, the national curriculum and the work we have done so far has really captured

the imagination of our students – from building the LEGO® field mats and programming the robot, to brainstorming ideas for the project assignment. Attending the preview event at the Department of Engineering has been enormously valuable for our team – as well as gaining a greater understanding of the logistics of the day, and which challenges we need to work on more before the tournament, the students are now raring to go in January!”

The Cambridge regional tournament will take place at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering on Tuesday 15 January 2019. During the Cambridge tournament, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd will bring a local team (based in Cambridge) to lend its engineering expertise, mentoring the teams of young people.

The organisers are currently recruiting local science and technology enthusiasts to judge the regional heat.

For more information on judging opportunities please contact: joanna.colley@consciouscommunications.com

The Annual Review

December 2018

Here, four 6 axis robots hang from a ceiling-mounted Güdel surface gantry system

Expanding Robot Envelopes In 3 Dimensions With Güdel’s TrackMotion Range Placing a robot on a track greatly expands its operating envelope, potentially allowing it to tend multiple machines or to transfer materials across much greater distances.

For example, instead of three robots each tending a machine at separate locations, a single robot on a track could potentially tend all three, saving money and increasing efficiency. Or, a single material-handling robot on a track could replace multiple robots with intermediate transfer locations. The general perception however, is that these tracks are always floor mounted and being used to enhance a robots work envelope in just one plane.

In this informative article, Güdel UK’s Will Bourn explains how the company’s TrackMotion range of linear tracks can be used in many innovative ways to expand robot work envelopes in 3 dimensions.

We are all used to seeing robots operating in a fixed location across many different industry sectors and applications.

However, it is becoming increasingly common that you will also see a 6-axis robot moving on a linear track between machines or workstations.

Many of the world’s leading robot integrators turn to Güdel when they need to enhance the working range of their systems, and the flexibility of the Güdel TrackMotion range is at the heart of some truly innovative concepts.

Depending upon the application, it may be that the robot needs to be situated overhead as opposed to floor level.

Mount a 6 axis robot to a Güdel TMO (Track Motion Overhead) Series Linear Track and its available work envelope increases significantly, opening up a host of opportunities for greater utilisation and providing automation specialists and system builders with a more flexible approach to cell design and concepts. This overhead track configuration lends itself to many applications.

For example, machine tending on CNC Machine Tools or Injection Moulding Machines, where the gantry mounted robot can access the machines from above, opening up operator and maintenance access and easing guarding issues. Further benefits from this approach are potential savings in valuable floor space and the opportunity to use a single robot to serve multiple machines, thus delivering a highly flexible yet cost effective solution. Güdel’s overhead linear tracks can have the robot mounted in a ceiling or wall attitude to provide maximum flexibility, or they can simply lift the robot up in the air in a conventional position.

Another novel approach is to mount the TrackMotion unit vertically, and once again the robot can be mounted in whichever attitude best suits the application. Commonly, this vertical axis will be combined with a horizontal floor-mounted slide to give a huge, flexible working envelope, often to quite a small robot. It is quite normal to see a very large robot being used to carry a small payload because of reach problems.

This idea of a multiple axis robot mover means that you can often use quite a small robot over a very large working area whilst maintaining high levels of repeatability.

A futuristic example, which demonstrates the ultimate flexibility available from Güdel linear track systems, can be seen at the ETH University in Zurich, where a new building, the “Arch-Tec-Lab” has been opened, to explore the impact of digitization and automation on the construction sector.

The Robotic Fabrication Laboratory, or RFL, is a globally unique robotics laboratory, in which four 6-axis robots hang from a ceiling-mounted Güdel surface gantry. Together, the installation is based on 36 system axes that can be used to place objects with a precision of half a millimetre at any location in the 45 x 17 x 6 metre work envelope. The purpose of this laboratory is to develop the usage of complex wooden structures which require accuracy and repeatability to produce reliable load-bearing beams.

As manufacturers in all sectors seek to introduce automation to fill a skills gap, improve quality and productivity, or reduce manufacturing costs, it is certain that Güdel’s range of linear track systems will become an increasingly important part of many manufacturing automation systems.

Güdel Lineartec UK Limited | www.uk.gudel.com | sales@uk.gudel.com

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The Annual Review

December 2018

It’s Good To Talk....

Technical PR “Make the most of product developments, success stories, company news and opinion pieces to maintain your company profile through technical PR”

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s today’s business environment becomes ever more competitive, maintaining high levels of exposure for your company, products and brand is essential, if you are to stay ahead of the competition.

Achieving these objectives requires a blend of writing skills coupled with a solid technical appreciation of the products and how they are used or applied to make the most of the article.

Maximising opportunities across multiple marketing platforms, print, web, advertising, social media etc. is the ideal solution, and will of course achieve the best results. However, for companies with limited marketing budgets, press releases, case studies and editorial content can be both a great and cost effective way to maintain a high profile within the industry.

Genesis has been producing technical PR for our clients for over 11 years, and we have written hundreds of articles covering topics and technologies such as robotics, ultrasonics, lasers, drive components, special purpose automation, CNC machining, labelling systems and much more.

We have also produced a series of thought leadership type articles on a variety of subjects. Our writing style, combined with our knowledge of the industry publications and the material they look for, means that we regularly secure coverage for our clients material.

A well written case study not only raises your company profile, but adds credibility to the products and services offered by the business. With most industry publications available now in print and online, this is a great way to gain exposure.

It is also worth remembering that the material produced for press releases and case studies etc. can also be used as content for your web site, collateral for e-mail marketing or newsletters, and perhaps even produced in printed form as hand-outs for customers or for use at exhibitions.

Content is the Key to success One of the most important factors in ensuring success of any press release or case study etc. is how well it is written. It needs to be interesting, informative, technically accurate, and of course relevant to the specific industry publications being targeted.

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We are also passionate about measuring the results of our efforts and have developed our own on-line system for planning, submitting and monitoring the performance of our clients articles. Instances of publication, whether in print or on-line is recorded and clients receive regularly updated press clipping reports showing where the article has appeared.

As 2019 fast approaches, we are now busy putting together the PR planners for our clients. If you would like to find out how Genesis can raise your company profile through effective technical PR, please get in touch for a no obligation chat.

Genesis Sales & Marketing Limited Telephone 01257 475 527 genesis.marketing@btinternet.com www.genesis-sales-marketing.com

The Annual Review

December 2018

TLM Laser Offer The ULTRA Flexible Laser Processing Solution Laser users, especially those who require a degree of flexibility or offer sub-contract laser processing services, need to be sure that the system they purchase will have the capability to deal with the widest possible range of materials.

Often, the choice is not just about which manufacturer to choose, but which type of laser, CO2 or a Fiber laser?

A unique solution to this conundrum is Universal Laser’s new ULTRA 9 platform, which offers laser material processing for the widest possible range of materials within a single stand-alone system.

Available in the UK and Ireland from laser technology specialists TLM Laser, this highly flexible system is ideally suited for precision material processing across: manufacturing, research and development, academic research, and prototyping environments. Its unique modular architecture means that customisable solutions can be quickly and easily configured with a wide array of options for enhancing performance, capability, and safety to produce the perfect solution that will meet both present and future business needs.

Users can configure this system with up to three laser sources: comprising of two interchangeable CO2 lasers and one fiber laser. This rapid laser reconfiguration innovation makes it possible for laser sources to be quickly interchanged in the laser system without the need for tools or realignment of the laser. This feature allows users to easily switch between sources of different wavelengths and peak power levels to optimise laser power delivery for different materials and applications. This increases the flexibility and functionality of the laser system by maximising the number of materials that can be laser processed.

When the platform is configured with all three lasers, users can also take advantage of MultiWave HybridTM technology, enabling up to three wavelengths – 9.3 μm, 10.6 μm, and 1.06 μm – to be simultaneously combined into a single coaxial beam, further enhancing the capability of the system. Each spectral component of the beam is independently controlled and can be modulated in real time.

As the name ULTRA suggests, this system incorporates a wide range of high performance features including: a Servobased beam delivery system with dual loop encoder feedback and linear encoders on all axes.

This enables precise, repeatable beam positioning allowing laser processing of a wide variety of materials and to address tight tolerance requirements.

The high precision beam positioning and excellent repeatability make the ULTRA platform ideal for high accuracy laser processing within manufacturing and research and development environments.

Another valuable asset is the lightweight autofocus touch sensor integrated into the motorised carriage assembly.

This unit deploys and retracts to automatically detect the top surface of any material, including transparent materials and foams. This feature improves usability and workflow in a number of ways by: •

Eliminating the inaccurate, error prone and sometimes overlooked process of finding focus with a manual tool, by instructing the system to automatically perform the focus operation each time laser processing commences

•

Automatically focusing before laser processing begins to ensure that the laser system is always focused on materials, avoiding the potential for damage to the material caused by out of focus laser energy

•

Improving accuracy beyond non-contact ultrasonic and photo sensor methods by achieving surface detection and repeatability of +/- .001” (25 μm), including foams and transparent materials

The user interface for the system is a 21” touch screen control panel allowing for standalone operation without the need for a separate, tethered PC. This intuitive user interface, which incorporates multiple features, allows adjustment of all laser-processing settings in order to optimise performance and processing results.

Bromsgrove based TLM Laser are the UK and Ireland distributors for Universal Laser cutting and marking systems.

In addition, the company also offers a comprehensive range of Laser processing systems for cutting, welding, marking, engraving, cleaning, 3D additive layer manufacturing, plus laser safety equipment.

www.tlm-laser.com | sales@tlm-laser.com

The Annual Review

December 2018

Telsonic Ultrasonics Seal The Case For LAP Electrical Telsonic UK has established a reputation for delivering robust technical solutions for challenging welding and joining application, many of which are for automotive components and sub-assemblies.

In this latest application for LAP Electrical, Telsonic were called upon again to assist with developing not only the tightly controlled process within a machine solution, but help develop the underpinning joint design detail required for a hermetic seal on crank case ventilation valves.

The components in this application are manufactured from glass filled nylon, and depending upon variant, have between 5 and 6 individual sub-component parts. The production solution also has to be capable of accommodating 5 product assembly variants.

Telsonic’s ultrasonic technology supplied for this project included a USP3000E Press, MAG-W020024-S 2.4kW welding system together with a TCS-5 controller, touchscreen interface and a suite of Zapp steel sonotrodes, designed to suit the different product types and incorporating a quick release tool change system. The Telsonic controller uses individual weld recipes for the different variants that include staged pressure profiled electronic force delivery and weld collapse limits.

There were a number of technical challenges for Telsonic in this application. Different part colour, post mould part age, together with part supply from different moulders and subcomponent part tolerances, requiring careful consideration when defining the joining process parameters. Telsonic conducted prolonged tests with LAP at their UK laboratory to develop the specific weld modes and limits which would assure a strong hermetic seal, capable of withstanding the rigorous airflow characteristics, leak test, mechanical shear and tensile tests required. Sonotrode design also played an important role in determining the final solution, being carefully sized to achieve a near field weld across all component variants.

The factors that resulted in Telsonic securing this business were the company’s demonstration of a detailed understanding of the process influences on the material and the product assembly and determining repeatable weld recipes for each variant. Finally, delivering a joining machine solution in which LAP Electrical could have complete confidence. As a result of this success, LAP are now retrofitting Telsonic ultrasonic technology to existing and older machines as part of their upgrade programme.

Telsonic UK offer a comprehensive range of ultrasonic modules and systems for a variety of plastic and metal welding, cutting, sealing, cut’n’seal, food cutting and cleaning applications within a wide range of industries.

The ultrasonic welding system is fully integrated within a turnkey multi station rotary indexing machine. The operator manually places the loosely pre-assembled components which are then welded, providing a repetitive, strong and hermetically sealed closure of the internal assembly components using the USP3000E system process control features.

Subsequent stations within the machine are used to perform flow and pressure tests on the assemblies before all good components are laser marked, orientated and unloaded from the machine by a pick and place unit. Any parts deemed as reject by any of the station tests or the weld process are segregated at the unload station.

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Telsonic UK Limited Telephone 01202 697 340 www.telsonic.com info.uk@telsonic.com

December 2018

The Annual Review

Reich Coupling Drives Germany’s First Electrically Powered Pleasure Craft Electric and Hybrid drives are developing at a pace within the automotive sector and are fast becoming a readily accepted method of propulsion for a wide range of private and commercial vehicle types.

Whilst the automotive sector has for some time been the focus for the development of eco-friendly power sources, the shipping industry still relies heavily on conventional fuels and generates a significant amount of the carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere. It is clear that the internal combustion engine will continue to play an important part in the shipping industry for some time to come, however the recent introduction of Germany’s first electrically driven excursion vessel could help to point the way for the development of cleaner power sources for larger ships.

At the heart of this innovative craft, and transmitting the power from a total of three drive types, is a specially developed coupling unit from Reich-Kupplungen.

Germany’s first electrically powered pleasure craft has been making the news since the summer of 2017, when it first started to transport passengers on Baldeney Lake in Essen. Its’ quiet and eco-friendly operation are a result of the innovative drive system which is a combination of a methanol tank, fuel cell and motor.

The coupling system for the drive was designed and manufactured by Reich-Kupplungen. The complete coupling unit consists of a Multi Mont Sella 100 claw coupling with a Arcusaflex 5.1 flange coupling and two electromagnetic clutches. The challenges faced by Reich’s engineers included delivering a switchable propulsion drive system which would allow the automated use of the three drive types: purely electric drive, pure diesel drive or combined diesel-electric drive.

(The compact coupling unit, right- designed and manufactured

by Reich - comprises of a Arcusaflex 5.1 flange coupling, a Multi-Mont Sella 100 Claw Coupling and 2 electromagnetic clutches)

To reduce the occurrence of vibrations from the engine, the motor and the drive components, flexible and highly flexible couplings, are combined with the electromagnetic clutches and integrated into a single housing to form a compact unit.

The energy required for operating the craft is generated entirely from renewable energy sources. The ethanol energy source is produced by the hydro-electric power station located at Baldeney Lake dam.

Carbon dioxide for the production of the electro-bio-catalytic methanol is filtered from ambient air by means of a container.

Using hydro-electric power, the enzymes are stimulated to convert water and carbon dioxide into methanol.

However, the amount of methanol produced in this way each day is not sufficient. Therefore, additional methanol, also manufactured in an eco-friendly manner, is sourced from Iceland.

The combined total of 330 litres of methanol, sufficient to supply enough energy for 16 hours, is then used to generate electricity in the 35-kilowatt fuel cell of the vessel to power the crafts’ electrical system and the battery-powered motor.

Two batteries, with a capacity of 50-kilowatt hours each, last for four hours in total. At the end of this period they need to be recharged, either by the fuel cell – or by using an onshore charging cable. In case of an emergency, a separate diesel engine can be used to power the vessel.

With a history spanning over 70 years, Reich Kupplungen has built up unrivalled expertise in the design and manufacture of drive couplings for use across a wide range of industries and applications. Reich is always happy to assist customers with the coupling or torque limiter selection process for any particular application.

Reich Drive Systems UK Limited Telephone 0161 714 4191 www.reich-uk.com

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The Annual Review

December 2018

Amazon Filters and Britvic Strengthen Working Partnership

Liquid flow in filter housing

Amazon Filters has received a supply chain contract renewal from leading soft drinks company - Britvic.

Having partnered with Amazon Filters for nearly a decade, trust in the company’s understanding and knowledge of their beverage filtration processes were key to Britvic renewing this longstanding contract.

Britvic has used Amazon’s filtration products across the majority of its plant operations, and at every stage of the beverage filtration process to ensure its portfolio of internationally renowned soft drink products are delivered clear and bright to their customers.

Specifically, Britvic valued Amazon Filters’ strong understanding of the importance of particulate and micro-organism control including the prevention of Cryptosporidium contamination in water-based beverage products.

Amazon Filters has applied its considerable beverage filtration knowledge by offering a range of membrane, depth and pleated products to Britvic that safeguard their products from contamination and help them maintain their cleanroom processes.

Lisa Astbury, UK Sales Manager, Amazon Filters said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Britvic over the years and we are looking forward to continuing this partnership going forward.”

For further information on high performance beverage cartridge filters please click here or contact Amazon Filters on +44-1276-670600 / sales@amazonfilters.co.uk.

Combination Filters Improve Wine Shelf Life Amazon Filters report that a growing number of wine producers are using a combination of SupaPore FPW prefilter and SupaPore VPWS cartridge filters to improve the shelf life of their products.

In wine production it is important that products are microbiologically stabilised prior to packaging to prolong shelf life. This needs to be achieved without affecting the nature of the product and in a costeffective manner. Therefore, minimising the cost of stabilisation whilst maintaining wine quality remains a constant driver.

To extend the operational life of the final SupaPore VPWS membrane filter, Amazon Filters recommends using a SupaPore FPW pre-filter.

SupaPore FPW microfiltration cartridges have been designed for use in a wide range of wine production applications including clarification, stabilisation and bioburden reduction. The advanced borosilicate glass microfibre media in SupaPore FPW filters provides significant advantages due to its enhanced depth characteristics and exceptionally low pressure losses.

This is combined with a downstream polypropylene media to support and strengthen the system. The optimised pleated depth design of the SupaPore FPW offers high flow rates, excellent dirt holding capacity and superior retention levels making it a perfect prefilter.

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Using an optimised asymmetric polyethersulfone (PES) membrane which offers a high surface area, SupaPore VPWS filters provide excellent throughputs, without affecting the taste, aroma, clarity or colour of the wine. VPWS filters are ideal for wine production processes where long onstream life is vital. These filters can be in-situ steam sterilised and offer excellent chemical resistance enabling them to be repeatedly cleaned for a longer service life. All VPWS filter cartridges are fully compliant with the requirements for materials intended to come into contact with food as described in CFR Title 21 and as detailed in European Regulation (EC) Number 1935/2004.

For further information on high performance prefilters and filters for wine production please click here or contact Amazon Filters on +44-(0)1276-670600 / sales@amazonfilters.co.uk.

December 2018

The Annual Review

Sensonics completes delivery

to nuclear power plant in UAE Condition monitoring specialists SENSONICS have delivered the final tranche of machinery protection systems to the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant project in the UAE. Following a five year design and manufacturing phase, the equipment delivery, made up of nearly 400 Sentry G3 4-channel protection modules and over 1200 channels of vibration analysis across twelve cabinets is currently undergoing final commissioning.

The instrumentation will monitor and protect 180 machines, the balance of plant equipment for all 4 Units, consisting of various fans, pumps and chillers in support of the plant operations.

The fully programmable Sentry G3 equipment is utilised to monitor bearing and shaft vibration in addition to thrust wear and speed. It includes dual redundant power supplies in each rack with redundant Ethernet communications to the main plant systems for trending of overall vibration levels and the reporting of alarms. A condition monitoring package is also integrated with the G3 equipment to provide real time analysis of the vibration signals.

All data is stored on a local server which provides live machine Mimicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in combination with offline analysis of historical trends.

This major overseas contract for the Korean Electric Power Corporation is another example of Sensonicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; commitment to developing the most innovative and robust solutions for vibration, position and speed instrumentation for critical machine condition monitoring applications in power generation, petrochemical and process manufacturing industries around the world.

Further details available from: Russell King Sensonics Ltd, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK. Email: sales@sensonics.co.uk www.sensonics.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1442 876833

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The Annual Review

December 2018

Prior Scientific 99 years and counting…

Since 1919, Prior Scientific has designed and manufactured high precision positioning devices, optical systems, automated solutions and components for many of the world’s leading scientific instrumentation companies and research institutions.

milestone. The company was first started by Walter Robert Prior in London moving to its present location in Fulbourn, Cambridge in 1988. The company has gone from strength to strength over the years working with companies like the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and many educational establishments.

Prior Scientific has had a busy and fruitful Continued research and development and a year in 2018 with continued sales growth and strong workforce has helped shape Prior into further expansion with OEM partnerships. the company it is today.

The acquisition of Queensgate Instruments in May of this year, has further enhanced Prior Scientific will have several product its knowledge base and technical ability in launches in 2019 bringing new exciting the field of nano positioning. Queensgate products to our range and also showcasing Instruments have for many years designed what we can offer to our OEM partners. and produced leading performance nano These can be seen at several exhibitions next positioning and measurement systems year including MMC – Manchester, FOM – used in a wide range of applications from London, OPIE – Yokohama, Neuroscience – atomic force microscopy, vibration and strain, Chicago and many more. We hope to see you monitoring and damping, hard drive testing, at the shows next year, more information can space and astronomy. be found on our website www.prior/events.

In 2019, Prior Scientific looks forward to For more information, please contact: celebrating their 100-year anniversary in the microscope industry. Prior will be hosting +44 (0) 1223 881711 events throughout the year to celebrate www.prior.com with our colleagues and partners across the globe with the highlight being a party in the UK to commemorate the century

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December 2018

The Annual Review

Six figure investment increases output

four-fold at UK manufacturer Strong expansion and job opportunities set to follow at the plant Yorkshire-based Contract Production Ltd has increased its capacity by 400% virtually overnight thanks to a £250,000 investment in new technology.

Contract Production manufactures a range of sub-contract electronic products and printed circuit board assemblies for a wide variety of industries. This can be one-off prototypes, up to volumes in their 10,000’s. A recent investment and installation of an AM100 Panasonic Pick and Place line has enabled the company to increase its output by an astonishing 400%.

The new production line populates printed circuit boards and can place a staggering 30,000 components per hour, blowing away previous capacity limits.

“This essentially, means that we now measure productivity in seconds not minutes,” said Managing Director Simon Norris. “Thanks to the new production line we have added an extra 30-40 weeks of working

capacity to the business annually; In time, that could see our work force go from 20 employees to around 50-60 which will be great news for the area.”

The new pick and place machine was manufactured in the Far East and shipped to the manufacturing base in Pickering at the end of 2017. The system has effectively streamlined the company’s whole process, taking a bare printed circuit board, populating it and producing an inspected product at the end of the line.

“Obviously, the speed depends on the complexity of the circuit board or product we are producing,” said Simon.

He added: “There has been a lot of talk about the UK’s stagnating productivity levels but this investment into Contract Productions shows there is opportunity and we can now deliver

on much larger orders with improved turnaround for our customers that we could only dream of a few weeks ago.

It is a major leap forward technologywise and we are all very excited about the possibilities this brings for the business and our customers.”

As well as the larger orders going into the hundreds of thousands Contract Production also produces one-off prototypes or low rate production runs for clients - often hand-placed - for new products yet to go to market.

These can be anything that requires circuit boards, from GPS tracking devices to wind turbines, cameras to measuring instrumentation for deep sea oil drilling rigs.

The Contract Production website can be found at: http://contract-production.co.uk

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The Annual Review

December 2018

How security fasteners help to protect us in a changing world Paul Standing, Commercial Products Manager, TR Fastenings

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s undeniable that the world has changed considerably in the last few decades, altering the way we work, communicate, spend our leisure time and even get from A-B. Mobile phones, computers, the internet, GPS and social media are not just handy inventions which enhance the way we live, but actually in many cases shape and dictate it.

With these developments come a new set of dangers and risks that we need to protect ourselves and others from.

Just in the same way that we learnt from a young age to consider our personal and physical security by locking doors, not talking to strangers or not doing and taking anything that would harm us, we have also adapted to apply this level of thinking to the new technologies and resources at our fingertips. From logging out of devices, to changing passwords regularly and covering our hands when we enter our pin numbers at the cashpoint, these security measures have crept swiftly and naturally into how we go about our daily lives.

Beyond what we can do ourselves, there are a huge array of security devices and products that help to protect us from harm. The fences that surround schools, homes and workplaces, the CCTV cameras that watch us, the public transport that some of us travel on every day, the street furniture we sit on in our lunch breaks or at weekends; everything has to be safe. Health and safety laws and regulations also require that products meet specific standards and are manufactured with security in mind.

Just as there are many different types and sizes of security products available, there is also a huge range of fastener components used to hold them all together and make sure they work efficiently and effectively. These fasteners must be tamper-resistant and vandal-proof, but must also act in the same way as any other fastener product- they must fit in the aesthetic design of the product and its surroundings and allow the product to move and work in the way it should do.

However, extra touches, such as patented technology to prevent anyone from undoing the fastening without specialist equipment or complex installation processes, mean the shape of a screw is in reality very different to its

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outside appearance and make these fasteners additionally secure. Available in a range of sizes, these fasteners can be used across product types and variations and be adjusted to specific environments or requirements.

As we increasingly conduct our lives in a more 24-hour, mobile fashion, with more products, devices and objects at our disposal than ever before, it makes sense to protect ourselves and our belongings with the very same smart thinking and technology used to develop them in the first place. By implementing security and tamperresistant engineering right at the beginning of the product development phase, we can ensure we are doing all we can to contribute to a safer and more secure world.

December 2018

The Annual Review

A productive and interesting year for TF Automation

TF

Automation has worked with Bolton Plastics, market leaders in the manufacture of blow-moulded automotive components, since 2007.

A particular project this year was to design a solution that required HDPE air ducts to cool batteries in electric vehicles for their automotive client.

The new machine is a substantial improvement in terms of production speed, product yield, improved consistency and quality, as well as allowing for tooling changes.

We work closely with many clients on designing identification and tracking processes, crucial to their particular production line. The challenge for one client was to design a system to dot mark fulcrum steel pivot pins, where the machine was required to move the steel pins, position them individually and then perform the identification marking.

Our team designed a bespoke standalone machine with a part-transfer system incorporating a Telesis Dot Peen Marker. This versatile system adjusts automatically according to the different pin lengths, diameters and shapes as required by the client, to ensure correct positional marking.

We also opened our doors to around 30 students from 3 different schools in Bradford as part of the Chamber of Commerce initiative â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bradford Manufacturing Week 2018. The

It has been a busy year at TF Automation, with a diverse range of process automation projects across numerous industry sectors having been commissioned and delivered.

event was set up to engage schools with local manufacturers and through a series of site visits we provided an insight into the world of engineering and manufacturing. Bradford Girls Grammar School commented â&#x20AC;&#x153;We thought the trip was a great success and not only gave the students an insight into your business and engineering but also taught them about Bradford Manufacturing Week and why it was important. Thank you very much for holding the session and hopefully we will be back next year!â&#x20AC;?

clients old and new the opportunity to take a closer look at TF Automation, our expertise and how we help and support clients. A further marketing initiative being the launch of our new WEBSHOP, packed with literally thousands of pneumatic and industrial components, from all the leading brands. With the addition of new members of staff across manufacturing, engineering, design and technical sales plus a young apprentice, it has been a productive and interesting year!

We were also delighted to launch our new brochure this year, giving

For further information, please visit www.tfautomation.co.uk

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The Annual Review

December 2018

New compact escalator drives expands range of options If you’re travelling on the London Underground, the Washington Metro or the New York Subway it’s more than likely that the escalators you use are driven by a drive package designed and manufactured by Renold Gears.

We can design and manufacture drive packages for new installations, or alternatively we can design drop-in replacements for other manufacturers’ products on modernisation projects, even if the old drive is obsolete and no longer supported.

Renold Gears is the leading supplier of heavy-duty escalator drive packages and has been renowned for the safety, quality and reliability of its solutions for over 50 years. Each drive package is designed to meet the customer’s exact requirements and our experienced design team works closely with users, OEMs and transport authorities around the world to achieve this.

Our range includes traditional escalator drive packages mounted on a baseplate, innovative slimline direct drives that are mounted directly onto the headshaft and significantly reduce maintenance, double drives ideal for in-truss arrangements, and replacement drives and gearing for obsolete designs that can be re-engineered from sample parts and customers’ drawings.

Recently we launched a new range of compact escalator drives that are approximately half the size and weight of a comparable traditional unit from our TU range.

The new WH Series drives have five footprint options to provide easy interchangeability with those of other manufacturers. The unique case design ensures ease of installation for both the replacement of existing drives or in new applications without the need for re-engineering or redesign.

The new escalator drives have a compact design available as motor ready or fitted with a vertical motor, brake and flywheel package for intruss installation. As a worm/helical combination unit the WH Series Compact Transit Escalator Drives are designed for high efficiency and low noise with the unique Renold Holroyd worm gear form on the high speed input stage and coupled with a helical gear on the second stage.

They have also been designed as minimal maintenance units with a range of features to make maintenance as quick and easy as possible when required. They feature Renold’s Low Oil Level Technology that reduces operating temperature and extends operating life.

Additionally this feature, combined with the optional use of non-contact labyrinth seals, ensures that the new units are leak free.

The new drives meet LUL, APTA and NYCTA specifications and provide a wider range of options for customers by extending Renold’s escalator drive solutions into the mid-range of escalator drive requirements.

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December 2018

The Annual Review

Leading HVAC specialist adds new water treatment unit to hire fleet Andrews Boilers are delighted to introduce a new filtration system designed to provide a quick and efficient solution in scenarios where clients require a fully functional temporary energy centre to operate alongside a boiler arrangement.

F

ollowing a significant number of requests from customers, the water treatment unit joins Andrews’ hire fleet with immediate effect and has already been used on high-profile projects around the country.

Offering an all-encompassing solution for both new and ongoing developments where an energy centre is needed, the unit also has a full water softening facility with dirt and air separators, side stream filtration and a system dosing feature. A complete boosted mains cold water service can also be provided across a broad spectrum of applications, underlining its value in a number of situations.

Market-leading technology enables the water treatment unit to deliver up to 8 bar of continuous water pressure, guaranteeing that flats or areas at the top of a multi-storey building still reap the benefits of a normal water supply.

This unique system offers an external water storage tank which can be installed in conjunction with an Andrews boiler, with the configuration’s compact dimensions guaranteeing a small footprint and ensuring minimal space is required even on multi-megawatt applications.

After directly liaising with a well-known construction company prior to the project’s commencement, Andrews’ engineers were able to gain a better understanding of the scheme’s unique obligations and how best to accommodate them. This initial consultancy phase led to the water treatment unit being manufactured, with the entire process completed in a matter of weeks.

The unit was fitted with a comprehensive telemetry system and is compatible with both automatic and remote-controlled operation to enhance flexibility. This set-up allows potential mechanical issues to be identified and reported quickly, negating the need for constant visits from engineers which ensures costs are minimised at all times.

In this particular instance, Andrews’ filtration unit was originally sought for a 20-week period, but this was quickly doubled due to the demonstrable effectiveness of the product since its arrival on site. Once commissioned, the unit proved immediately successful in addressing a common issue and this has sparked an incredible surge in demand for use on projects elsewhere.

In recent months, Andrews have been heavily involved in a largescale flat development in West London, prompting the installation of their temporary energy centre. A solution was quickly required to allow the properties to be open as scheduled but this could not be achieved if vital amenities such as heating and hot water were unavailable.

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The Annual Review

December 2018

UNTRADITIONAL CORROSION SOLUTION FOR AN AGEING PLANT Setting the scene

Wrap system

A misty summer sea breeze turns into stormy splashes in the later months, carrying salty vapours miles off the Welsh coast. As the years go by, the cycle continues, inadvertently creating a perfect recipe for corrosion at a nearby Steel Plant, where exposed pipework is located a few hundred feet off the coast.

The contract was ultimately awarded to Belzona Technosol Limited to apply Belzona SuperWrap II, a wrap system which can be designed and installed in accordance with ISO 24817 and ASME PCC-2 Article 4.1 standards.

Application commenced in September, estimated to last two weeks. The surface was manually prepared to SSPC-SP11 using grinders, avoiding grit blasting as a potential ignition source. It was no surprise that the surface preparation opened additional weeping leaks in this severely thinned pipeline. A fast curing surface-tolerant epoxy composite, Belzona 1212, with a bypass plate was used to patch the leaks. The wrap application could then commence shortly.

View from the steel plant onto the seaside

Innocent looking solution of NaCL and H2O has thus become a significant complication for this plant, which has long outlasted its original lifespan.

Pipeline corrosion The HP & LP COG main pipeline throughout the Coke Ovens Plant has been corroding for many years. As the metal was thinning, through-wall defects started to appear. These defects allowed H2S, CO2, CO and other poisonous gases exfoliated from the process of breaking down bitumen to escape. Wooden stake insertions and plates were temporarily used to seal the leaks.

Live leak sealed with Belzona 1212

The remaining wall thickness in this 1.2m diameter pipe was 2mm in some areas (20% of its original thickness). A wrap was designed and applied in two critical sections in compliance with ISO 24817. In sections with greater remaining wall thickness (no potential of defects going through-wall) Belzona 5831 (Super UW-Metal) was applied to isolate the metal from the external corrosive environment.

Belzona SuperWrap II

The end result Corroded pipeline with temporary leak sealing repairs

These multiple small patches were never going to last, prompting a search for a more permanent solution. The conventional welding over pipework system could not be considered as the HP gas main could not be shutdown.

Therefore, they turned to cold applied, coded and warranted repair systems.

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The application was completed on time and similar work is expected at the plant shortly utilizing manual surface preparation and cold applied pipe wrap systems.

In the current climate, plants and their assets operate well beyond their design life and traditional repair options are frowned upon by the HSE. Cold-applied polymer systems, in turn, play an increasingly major role â&#x20AC;&#x201C; extending asset lifetime without breaking the bank.

www.belzona.com

㌀䐀 䴀䔀吀䄀䰀 倀刀䤀一吀䤀一䜀 吀唀刀一 夀伀唀刀 䤀䐀䔀䄀匀 䤀一吀伀 刀䔀䄀䰀䤀吀夀 䐀䔀匀䤀䜀一䤀一䜀 吀伀 䄀䐀䐀 嘀䄀䰀唀䔀

䐀昀䄀䴀 吀伀 伀倀吀䤀䴀䤀匀䔀 倀䄀刀吀匀

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䰀伀圀 嘀伀䰀唀䴀䔀 倀刀伀䐀唀䌀吀䤀伀一

䐀䔀匀䤀䜀一 䘀刀䔀䔀䐀伀䴀

䰀漀眀 瘀漀氀甀洀攀 瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 䄀䴀 搀攀猀椀最渀 昀爀攀攀搀漀洀猀 攀渀愀戀氀攀 猀椀渀最氀攀 瀀愀爀琀猀 漀爀 洀甀氀琀椀瀀氀攀 挀漀洀瀀漀渀攀渀琀猀 琀漀 戀攀 瀀愀爀琀猀 挀愀渀 搀攀氀椀瘀攀爀 瘀愀氀甀攀 椀渀琀漀 搀攀猀椀最渀攀搀 愀渀搀 戀甀椀氀琀 琀漀 愀搀搀 礀漀甀爀 猀甀瀀瀀氀礀 挀栀愀椀渀⸀ 瘀愀氀甀攀 猀甀挀栀 愀猀 椀洀瀀爀漀瘀攀搀 瀀攀爀昀漀爀洀愀渀挀攀Ⰰ 氀椀最栀琀 眀攀椀最栀琀ⴀ 椀渀最Ⰰ 洀甀氀琀椀ⴀ瀀愀爀琀 琀漀 猀椀渀最氀攀 瀀愀爀琀Ⰰ 氀漀眀 瘀漀氀甀洀攀 瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀椀漀渀 爀甀渀猀Ⰰ 瀀爀漀琀漀琀礀瀀椀渀最Ⰰ 爀攀瘀攀爀猀攀 攀渀最椀渀攀攀爀椀渀最 愀渀搀 猀甀瀀瀀氀礀 挀栀愀椀渀 瘀愀氀甀攀⸀

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The Annual Review

December 2018

JSP is Europe’s leading independent manufacturer of “above the neck” Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and is committed to improving occupational safety, health and well-being of

J

SP’s Research and Development team is designing more intuitive to operate products which perform to the highest levels across the widest range of environments, are comfortable and stylish to wear and more integrated to fit with other PPE. Working in this important sector since 1964 ‘Manufacturing for a Safer Future’ as European Leader in Industrial Head Protection, JSP’s innovation team continue to launch pioneering new products designed to offer the ultimate in Head, Face, Eye, Hearing and Respiratory Protection.

JSP PPE can be made to measure; the safety helmets, hearing products and eyewear can be customised according to individual specifications using corporate logos and colour schemes, safety messages, personal names and identity systems.

JSP sells their products exclusively through its distributor network partners in over 100 countries, helping modern multi-national end users implement the most effective and efficient health and safety protection programmes worldwide.

JSP’s products are manufactured under its worldwide QMS (Quality Management System) ISO9001:2015.

This ensures proper batch control, including testing and recording of each manufactured batch to the relevant EN standard. JSPCheck™ (www.jspcheck.com) adds validation as a uniquely developed online checking system that ensures the tracing of JSP products. All this comes with JSP’s full technical backup and support.

Innovations JSP’s core range of EVOLUTION® helmets comprises of five different types of helmet: the mainstream EVO® 2 & 3 models, the EVOLite® - the world’s lightest industrial safety helmet, the Mk8Evolution® - the world’s strongest industrial safety helmet and the the Evo® 5 Olympus® Global Standard ABS helmet. Latest to the range is the NEW Evo®5 DualSwitch™ helmet, offering protection and compliance to both workers at height to EN12492, and to the traditional construction worker to EN397, at a flick of a switch.

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people worldwide.

Other significant innovations include the award winning PressToCheck™ FORCE 8™ mask, which allows daily face fit reassurance simply by pressing the filters and checking your mask seal every time you put on your mask, the Hardcap Aerolite®, Europe’s lightest best performing full shell bump cap and the recent range of Sonis® Ear Defenders, peaking at an unbeaten SNR of 37.

JSP’s latest and most exciting creation is the NEW Powercap® Infinity® Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR). This fully integrated PAPR is the first intuitive head mounted unit to meet TH3 with a Nominal Protection Factor of 500 (UK APF 40) - the highest protection level in EN 12491:1998 + A2:2008. The JSP design team has developed the ultimate integrated product available in today’s marketplace, providing eye, face, hearing and respiratory protection all in one unit removing the need to face fit test.

Approximately 40 million people around the world utilise products purchased from JSP on a daily basis.

Through its efficient network of dedicated distributors, the solutions are delivered to customers in over 100 countries.

Tel: + 44 1993 826050 Visit: www.jspsafety.com

Active with key industry players for 60 years, Sonatest – a leading Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) manufacturer – is proud to deliver its new generation of the popular RapidScan product family: the RSflite. Complemented with the agile WheelProbe2 linear array probe and the newly developed UTmap stitching and analysis software, this new Sonatest solution sets a new standard of performance, portability and efficiency for the inspection of simple to complex composite structures.

Save time. Be more efficient.

Boosted by impressive recording speed, the RSflite lightweight battery operated equipment is two times faster than the previous generation.

Handling small to large probes and with almost no file size limitation, it can cover rapidly large surfaces and spare precious inspection hours down the production line or at the maintenance site. The RSflite responsive touchscreen user interface is also specifically optimised to operate linear scan, saving significant training costs and time often associated with unnecessary advanced Phased Array ultrasonic (PAUT) concepts.

“Most people who use A-Scan UT equipment are intimidated by the look and operation of advanced Phased Array ultrasonic equipment. An instrument like the Sonatest RSflite helps to bridge that gap because it is optimised for linear array composite testing,” states John Register, President at R-CON NDT. “It has no component for PAUT testing, and thus makes the system very easy to learn and to operate,” adds Register.

Ultrasonic NDT is key for precise composite inspection Ultrasonic NDT has helped engineers inspect all sorts of composite materials for years. Whether it be traditional aluminium laminates or today’s more complex carbon fibrebased composites; the fast Sonatest RSflite linear scanning technology – also called electronic scanning – offers the ability to acoustically see through these parts, and create highresolution inspection maps. Using the UTmap unique Tiled-Scan (T-Scan) stitching capability, comprehensive volumetric integrity reports can be generated and supported by imaging reports that are as easy to interpret as traditional X-Ray, without the hazard mitigation plan.

capabilities resolve this issue as each stripe of data (C-Scan) can be re-gated and aligned precisely on the T-Scan workspace. It is also possible to import CAD / image overlays and assemble C-Scan stripes from different sections to create a meaningful image for analysis and reporting. UTmap finally offers realtime contouring defect annotations with algorithms that provide precise and automatic measurements for fast defect interpretation and reporting.

Get more information about RSflite, WheelProbe2 or UTmap

T-Scan workspace: the freedom to make it fit, and fast!

For large composite structure inspections, the position and overlap precision of the recorded ultrasonic information is a challenge in itself. The UTmap unique stitching

www.sonatest.com sales@sonatest.com

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The Annual Review

December 2018

New Screw Jack Design Guide for Automation Solutions The new Screw Jack Design Guide from Power Jacks brings together the information engineers need to know when designing actuation, lifting and positioning systems using screw jacks.

It is packed with information on performance and dimensional details for Screw Jacks, Bevel Gearboxes and Jacking System Components.

“The design guide shows what a comprehensive portfolio of screw jack automation solutions Power Jacks manufactures and at 312 pages in size it is the largest product catalogue Power Jacks have published to date”, says Marketing Director Bruce Hamper.

Initially the design guide is available from the brochure download section of Power Jacks website at www.powerjacks.com in PDF format as a single download or in sections.

The range of screw jacks contained in the design guide is huge starting at the small 2.5kN capacity units and going all the way up to the large 2000kN capacity units.

When used individually or in systems they can actuate, lift or position loads of a few kilograms to thousands of tonnes. As well as screw jacks with cubic and single face housing styles the design guide includes details for both translating and rotating machine screw, ball screw and roller screw driven designs. For which there are a range of standard variants to help solve specific application requirements like the Anti-Backlash, AntiRotation and Safety Nut devices for lifting screws.

Plus, when it comes to corrosion resistance and harsh environments then there is a comprehensive section on Stainless Steel Screw Jacks.

While most applications can be satisfied with a screw jack design using standard features, options and accessories some applications need to go further with design specialisation to optimise a given machine or process. As an illustration on what is possible for these types of applications a sample of special screw jack designs is shown in the design guide. However, there is virtually no limitation to what Power Jacks can do, including completely new bespoke designs.

As a sneak peek a summary of the content in the Screw Jack Design Guide is given below: 1. C-Series Machine Screw Jacks 2.5kN – 100kN 2. E-Series Machine Screw Jacks 5kN – 2000kN 3. E-Series Stainless Steel Screw Jacks 10kN – 1000kN 4. E-Series Ball Screw Jacks 10kN – 300kN 5. E-Series Roller Screw Jacks 6. Special Screw Jack Designs 7. Screw Jack Accessories 8. Spiral Bevel Gearboxes up to 7000Nm transmission 9. Screw Jack System Components including: a. Electric Motors b. Reduction Gearboxes c. Couplings – Jaw and Geared types d. Drive Shafts – Solid and Self-Supporting types

Complimenting the screw jacks there are extensive sections for the system components that are regularly used to build jacking systems. These include bevel gearboxes, electric motors, couplings, drive shafts, encoders, limit switches and more.

e. Plummer Blocks

“For engineers the combination of the Screw Jack Design Guide and Power Jacks online CAD Portal make an essential toolkit that can allow our customers to quickly and efficiently design screw jack systems that benefit their company”, says Bruce.

i. Electro-Mechanical Limit Switches

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f. Hand Wheels g. Rotary Cam Limit Switches h. Proximity Limit Switches j. Encoders – Absolute & Incremental 10.

Engineers Reference

The Annual Review

December 2018

WEBSOFT

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World-Class Certification of Products, People, Systems and Sites ExVeritas is a 'Queens Award' winning certification company with a proven track record of delivering word class product and QMS certification together with CompEx training and 'Ex' consultancy. visit www.exveritas.com or email us at info@exveritas.com 'EX' PRODUCT CERTIFICATION

DSEAR & ATEX SITE SAFETY

ATEX Notified Body, IECEx Certification Body and 'Ex' Test Laboratory. UKAS ISO9001 issuer.

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Turnkey 'Ex' including Area Classification, Risk Assessment, Inspections and remedial work.

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TRAINING & COMPETENCE

CompEx, Specialist 'Ex' and QMS training delivered by the most experienced practitioners.

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December 2018

‘Tool users’ safety will remain our top priority,’ says Bahco Bahco professional hand tools and equipment have always been synonymous with safety.

It’s a sound reputation maintained with pride by their design and production engineers for more than130 years.

Bahco non-sparking tools are designed for safe use in hazardous workplaces

Manufactured in aluminum-bronze or copper-beryllium, Bahco NS tools include hammers, pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches, as well as other striking and construction tools.

“The safety of anyone using our tools will always be our top priority,” says Alan Rankin, who leads Bahco’s industrial tools team in the UK and Ireland.

“We provide safety solutions by developing tools which make work safer and less demanding. In addition, our scientific ergonomic design and manufacturing techniques protect users’ hands from painful and disruptive muscle strain or injury.”

Insulated electrical tools All Bahco insulated screwdrivers, pliers and other tools designed for working on electrical equipment are rigorously tested at 10,000V to ensure they are safe to use when working live at up to 1000V, fully meeting IEC 60900. Many of Bahco’s electrical tools are also VDE certified, offering additional assurance.

Non sparking tools Bahco Non-Sparking (NS) tools are designed for use in potentially explosive environments, where conventional steel tools might create sparks in the presence of combustible or easily ignitable vapours, liquids and dust.

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Bahco’s new stainless steel tool storage management trolleys

Tool management and storage Bahco’s professional tool storage and management trolleys bring order to any workplace and help engineers and technicians guard against the threat of foreign object debris and the damage it can cause. The range now includes stainless steel trolleys and a wide assortment of stainless steel tools.

Using Bahco’s Configurator software customers choose not only the size and colour of trolley they require but also the number of drawers and how inlays should be profiled for each tool group.

Find the tools you need using the Bahco tool management system

causes of injury, even fatalities, within many industries.

Tools for working at height

Bahco’s Tools@Height range includes lanyards, pouches and belts, hang bags and back packs ideal for use in any location and weather.

Tools with integrated, heavy duty loops and other attachments enable secure tethering to lanyards and tool belts.

Tools falling or being dropped from height remains one of the biggest

For further information visit: www.bahco.com.

Free CPD Seminars Proven global installations FREE site surveys

Improve Safety & Climate Conditions in Cold Stores Ice, frost and fog in cold storage can create slippery, dangerous conditions. Munters IceDry® is a specially designed desiccant dehumidifier that targets moisture in manufacturing facilities, cold stores and process freezers to: • Reduce & prevent ice, frost and fog build up on floors, walls and ceilings • Lower maintenance costs • Improve safety for staff & forklifts • Increase productivity • Improve evaporator efficiency

01480 432243 info@munters.co.uk munters.com/icedryseries

The Annual Review

December 2018

CHAIN SOLUTIONS THAT TARGET MAINTENANCE UK Process, Engineering and Maintenance Industries face a number of challenges in the coming months planning for the repercussions post Brexit, however, choosing a Chain manufacturer with a global reputation and a wide range of high quality, innovative Chain products and bespoke industry solutions needn’t be one of them.

Donghua Limited is the UK arm of one of the world’s biggest chain manufacturers and has been supplying Chain solutions to distributors and OEMs direct in the UK since 2009. With a range of Chain which aims to reduce maintenance costs and down-time, 2018 has been another successful year for the new kid on the block, and is the Chain of choice for many engineers.

Universal Attachment Chain Donghua supplies Roller Chain, Conveyor Chain and Leaf Chain, but it’s their Universal Attachment Chain which has piqued the interest of maintenance managers and engineers. Because of its revolutionary design, their Universal Attachment Chain can replace 99 per cent of chain from other manufacturers meaning engineers are no longer tied to using one Chain manufacturer.

Measure & Matching Chain Donghua is one of only a few manufacturers in the UK able to accurately measure Chain to within 10 microns per metre (a human hair is

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80-100 microns). And whilst Donghua Chain is already manufactured to close tolerances (chain from the same production batches are on average within 1/3rd DIN standards), this can be further improved with Chains supplied matched in sets to +/-0.5mm (up to 5 metres), ideal for Chain required to run in parallel and to ensure attachment links engage with the sprockets together to eliminate undue stress which is a major cause of fatigue failures on attachments.

bath. Attachment Chain is dipped into hot lubricant which penetrates into the bearing areas that standard lube spraying would not reach. As the Chain cools, surplus lube drains away leaving an oil deposit inside the Chain which significantly helps to extend wear-life and reduce the need for routine maintenance.

Pre-Loading Chain

Because Donghua’s Universal Attachment Chains are assembled, measured & matched and pre-loaded in their UK workshop, common builds are held in stock for immediate delivery or they offer 24 hour express delivery and 48 hour premium delivery.

To help minimise the initial elongation associated with in-house built Chain and the stretching of Chain during regular use which creates uneven wear along its length, Donghua pre-loads (pre-stretches) all Attachment Chain as standard, unlike Chain built by other manufacturers in the UK, so it’s ready and easy to fit from the box.

UK Workshop Donghua is the only Chain manufacturer in the UK to have its own hot dip lubrication

24 Hour Delivery

Want to join the growing number of engineers relying on Donghua chain?

To find your nearest Donghua’s stockist call 01902 866 200 or visit www.donghua.co.uk/locate-a-supplier

December 2018

The Annual Review

UNATTENDED PRODUCTION FOR RUTLAND

Rutland Plastics, is a private company based in Oakham Rutland with a 66000 ft sq factory and a turnover in excess of ÂŁ10 million, operating moulding machines ranging from 150 tonne to 1700 tonne. Looking to achieve unattended production on a Krauss Maffei KM150, Rutland Plastics selected UPM Conveyors to provide a turnkey solution requiring 8 belt conveyors to allow automatic product divert for QC inspection; ferrous/non-ferrous metal detection; product cooling; parts separation and box filling with a capacity of 8 full; 8 empty and 1 filling.

This does not affect the moulding machine cycle as product continues to be produced and accumulated on the conveyor until the operator has reset to start again.

Product cooling is necessary to avoid any deformation to the mouldings which are produced in PP on multi-cavity tools ranging from 8-16 impressions mould and 4 sprues with a section thickness of 5 to 15mm and UPM fitted a cooling tunnel with high flow air fans to reduce the temperature from 80oc to 20oc.

Parts separation is via a roller drum with central adjustment for the gap to allow ease of changing so the sprues exit onto another swan neck for transfer to a granulator and mouldings discharge to a third swan neck for conveying to the box filling station.

The UPM box filling station is a two tier construction and was designed to accommodate 8 full boxes; 8 empty and 1 filling with the box located onto a weigh scale to count by weight which achieves an extremely high level of accuracy so on achieving the correct pre-weight/count the overhead conveyor will stop; the full box is indexed off and an empty box brought onto the weight scale which initiates the overhead conveyor to start again repeating the cycle. When all boxes are full a sensor will energise an audible /visual alarm to alert an operator.

Product divert is achieved with a small reversing conveyor located onto a swan neck conveyor in the well of the machine and at any stage in production an operator can energise to reverse and transfer a shot to an integral sample drawer for QC inspection.

Metal detection is based on UPM inserting a search coil under the inclined section of the Swan Neck in the well of the machine and on detecting a foreign body will energise an audible / visual alarm and stop the belt conveyor so an operator can check and remove the contamination.

The central control is a PLC controlling all aspects of the system interfacing with the variable speed drives on each conveyor and connecting to the weigh scale.

Rutland expressed their total satisfaction with the UPM project team who installed and commissioned the system which is operating 24/7 trouble free.

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What’s the real cost of your picking operation?

Picking involves much more than grabbing an item off a static storage rack or shelf. In the typical manual distribution center, an operator has to physically locate the number of items required, picks the items, confirms the pick and then delivers the items for packing.

Because distribution centers are packed with shelves, racks, pallets, cases and pieces, order fulfilment is frequently acknowledged as, labour-intensive and the cost of order picking is estimated to be as much as 55% of the total warehouse operating expense.

Investing in automated storage and retrieval systems— such as vertical carousels, vertical lift modules (VLMs) and the Vertical Buffer module (VBM) — optimises manual picking processes, which leads to increased profits. That’s because, by implementing automation, multiple areas of a manufacturing or distribution facility will benefit from savings in inventory accessibility, floor space, time, improved ergonomics and better accuracy.

To justify your cost for low risk picking automation, consider five key areas of potential profit in your current warehousing and order fulfilment operations: • How much labour does your picking operation require?

• What is the cost of an absent, or injured, worker?

• What is the value of additional floor space?

• How much does a picking mistake cost?

• Are picking operations fast enough to meet customer demand?

Implementing an automated solution brings the stored items directly to an operator. The “goods to person” method eliminates time spent walking from one pick location to another within a warehouse. These automated solutions are equipped with indicator lights that illuminate the item’s location and pick quantity required. This cuts the time spent searching for a specific

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stock keeping unit (SKU). The result is more time to spend picking. Furthermore, because the automated solution interfaces with both inventory management and order management software, the picks are sequenced so the machine’s movement is optimised to match the required picks. This means all items can be picked in one rotation, or cycle, of the machine’s storage bins or trays, further maximising pick time.

These functions can optimise an existing labour force, increasing productivity from 200% to 600%. Because an automated solution enables just one worker to handle the picking assignments of multiple operators, as many as two-thirds of a facility’s workforce can be reassigned to other, non-picking tasks—without a loss of throughput. With increased resources through the consolidation of multiple picking, there is now the ability to accommodate more SKUs to inventory.

Automation also eliminates human error as automated storage systems incorporates advanced picking and real time inventory tracking technologies—such as light-directed indicators that pinpoint the precise SKU location and quantity to be picked—picking accuracy increases up to 99.9%.

To learn more about dynamic storage solutions contact Kardex Remstar at info.remstar.uk@kardex.com or visit our website at www.kardex-remstar.co.uk

December 2018

The Annual Review

SICK Absolute Encoders with HIPERFACE® Boost Direct Drive Feedback With the introduction of its SES and SEM absolute encoders, SICK has delivered a motor feedback system with the standard HIPERFACE® interface that takes precision and reliability to the next level for hollow shaft motors and direct drives.

The compact SICK SES70/90 singleturn and SEM70/90 multiturn encoders can be mounted directly on a hollow drive shaft without the need for additional mounting tools, enabling rapid installation and making transmission components, such as timing belts or couplings, unnecessary.

Available in 25mm, SES/ SEM70 and 50mm, SES/ SEM90 hollow shaft diameters, their low installation depth helps machine builders to save space and weight across a diverse range of direct drive applications such as robotics, extrusion and moulding machines and revolving transfer machines in semiconductor manufacture.

Using capacitive sensing technology, all of the information necessary for the operation of a motor including commutation, speed and absolute position measurement even over a number of rotations, is provided.

The robust technology enables use in geared or ungeared drives working at very low speeds up to high maximum speeds – 6,000 rpm for the SES/ M90 and 8,500 rpm for the SES/M70 – and it is immune to interference from electromagnetic fields or humidity.

Multiturn variants feature an innovative new mechanical design that can capture up to 4,096 revolutions without the need to use the external buffer batteries normally required for encoders with large hollow shafts, avoiding

the consequent risks of data loss and maintenance downtime.

SICK SES/SEM 70/90 bearing-less encoders are rugged, shock and vibration resistant and achieve high axial tolerances to avoid misalignment. Once installed, it is possible to read out the position of the rotor using the PGT-11-S programming device, providing a reliable way of identifying and rectifying installation errors during the mounting process “SICK has responded to the increasing preference for compact and rugged direct drive motors, with the development of the SES/SEM motor feedback encoders to provide the necessary precision and reliability,” explains Darren Pratt SICK UK’s National Product Manager for Encoders.

“SICK’s HIPERFACE® motor feedback interface is available on drive electronics produced by nearly every major drive manufacturer across the world, a list is available on request. With HIPERFACE® on-board, the SICK SES/SEM 70/90 encoders’ electronic type label allows the drive to automatically recognise the feedback type and user memory can be used to store and read off application specific parameters.”

For more information on the SICK SES/SEM 70/90 motor feedback encoders, please contact Andrea Hornby on 01727 831121 or email andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk.

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Secondary processes and finishes for springs and wire components In the specification of springs and other wire components, secondary processes and finishes can be an important consideration. They can help the design engineer to address environmental considerations or meet the needs of aesthetics in high value applications. These secondary processes can tailor the properties of the component to its application.

Plastic coating gives an aesthetically pleasing finish, with a coating up to 0.5mm thick. As well as looking good, the coating can be useful in applications where it is advantageous to have some cushioning between metal components. A good example might be a component inside a car, where you would like to avoid direct metalon-metal contact.

It is important to note, however, that typical plastic coatings such as Nylon PA11 or PA12 are hydroscopic,

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so they suck in water. Further, the thickness of the plastic coating could interfere with the functioning of the spring.

meet aesthetic requirements, it also enables components to be colour coded for easy identification in different applications.

An alternative to plastic coating is to paint the component, with electrophoretic painting and deltatone finishing being two popular options. Electrophoretic painting is a very thin coating that can provide an aesthetically pleasing product finish.

Another useful process is passivation. Primarily a cleaning process, it is typically applied to stainless steel components to remove any particles that might remain on the component after machining or grinding, thus preserving the corrosion resistance of the part. Such is the quality of William Hughes’ passivation process that the company has been awarded Nadcap accreditation for the supply of parts to the aerospace industry.

William Hughes employs a KTLblack electrophoretic process to deposit a shiny black, coating just a few microns thick on the spring – thin enough not to interfere with the functionality of the part. The coating can provide outside protection for up to 800 salt spray hours – enough to meet even some quite challenging environmental requirements.

High levels of corrosion resistance can also be provided by DeltaTone® finishing. This organic paint process is particularly suitable for wire components because of its flexible finish. It also has a low curing temperature, so there is no risk of changing the properties of the spring.

William Hughes can offer Delta-Tone finishing in a number of different colours, including red, green, blue, silver and black. Not only does this

With the availability of a full range of secondary finishing and painting processes, William Hughes is well placed to advise on the most suitable finish for a specific spring application.

For further details, contact: William Hughes Ltd, Station Road, Stalbridge, Dorset, DT10 2RZ. Tel: (01963) 363377 Fax: (01963) 363640 Email: sales@wmhughes.co.uk Website: www.wmhughes.co.uk

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New safety light grids for the food industry Product line SLC/ SLG 440 IP69K: Hygienic and extremely robust Visit Schmersal at SPS IPC Drives in Nuremberg between 27 and 29 November 2018: Stand 460, Hall 9 Wuppertal, 12 November 2018. The Schmersal Group has developed a new product line for safety light grids and curtains eminently suitable for use in hygiene-sensitive sectors, such as the food industry, pharmaceuticals and meat and milk processing.

The new product line SLC/SLG 440 IP69K is resistant to all daily cleaning processes prevalent in such industries. Thanks to a sophisticated, detailed design, this product line achieves the protection rating IP69K and is thus protected against ingress of water during closerange high-pressure and high-temperature spray downs. This means that the seals on this active opto-electronic protective device (AOPD) meets very strict requirements and are able to withstand frequent cleaning with water, alkali solutions, foam, hot steam or high-pressure jets. The new AOPD product line has also been created based on the principles of hygienic design.

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The SLC/SLG 440 IP69K locking caps are manufactured in stainless steel (V4A) as are the cable inlet and the fastening parts. Made of polycarbonate (PC), the transparent protective tubes not only offer high resistance to cleaning agents, but also withstand strong mechanical loads. If spray lances should accidentally strike the SLC/SLG 440 IP69K's enclosure during pressure washing in food production or a transport should collide with the enclosure, the safety and protection function will continue to work thanks to the robust protective tubes.

The material thus guarantees greater availability and a long service life for safety light curtains and grids, also allowing a compact design for encapsulated safety sensors since the protective tubes are a mere 50 mm in diameter. The independent testing laboratory Ecolab has also verified the high resistance in these components' materials.

Other characteristics in the AOPD product line include additional functions such as double confirmation, contactor control and integrated beam blanking, which allows moving parts to be conveyed through the protection field without triggering the stop signal. Yet another practical function is the dirt indicator. A visual warning message is displayed if the sensor reception signal becomes weaker. This allows the user to take action before the machine comes to an unscheduled standstill.

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December 2018

Precise coolant filtration VDF vortex dynamic filter One-pass filtration: > 90% of 5µm particles One-pass filtration: > 99% of 25µm particles Filters both ferrous and non-ferrous Simple waste disposal options – automated operation available Wide range of sizes and capacities 9 models: flows from 10 lpm to 1,000 lpm Body materials: 9 in SUS13 & 3 in resin (PA6)

• • • •

VDF 70 - 70 lpm

No foaming, cleaner coolant, longer tool life Reduced running costs, low maintenance Element-free, no filter element replacement costs The environmentally friendly one-pass solution

Aeration&Mixing Ltd Sheffield UK T: +44 (0) 1302 215 156

Web: http://www.aerationmixing.co.uk E-mail: enquiries@aerationmixing.co.uk

VDF 1000 – 1,000 lpm

A Dixon innovation..... leaving the competition up in arms.

+44 (0)1772 323529 sales@dixoneurope.co.uk www.dixoneurope.co.uk |65

The Annual Review

December 2018

www.manandmachine.co.uk

2018 & Beyond Brexit for UK Manufacturing As we draw a fragile economic year to a close, Man and Machine, a UK based engineering software specialist, has enjoyed turnover and profits that have grown consistently throughout the year resulting in annual growth in margins and even greater growth in profits. According to Phil Read, Managing Director, they remain positive about the final outcome for the full year.

In a year when the manufacturing and engineering markets (and our customers), have had an unsettling time and have an even more unpredictable future with Brexit now upon us, how can UK manufacturers continue to grow and expand.

According to Read, “It is a well-known fact that even in uncertain years, companies still grow, expand and prosper, taking market-share from those less well-equipped to deal with a challenging economy. The answer is simple: be agile enough to respond it, maintain robust cost control, know your customer’s needs and create innovative solutions. The reality is more difficult.”

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Read continues, “Throughout this year we have helped companies deliver on key aspects of a successful Manufacturing Business & Operations Strategy.”

them save significant time during the design process and massively improve efficiencies.

In the construction industry, one of the key requirements of building product manufacturers now is to provide well-constructed Building Information Models (BIM). These essentially are geometrically accurate 3D models, usually created in Autodesk Revit, with a significant amount of product data embedded in the model. Whilst the concept of cloud-based technology and the standardisation of Product Data Templates is starting to provide potential efficiencies, this is still a hugely manual task.

Another important aspect of being a successful manufacturer is to innovate.

Read explains using an example: “We have recently assisted a sustainable energy organisation develop a pontoon flotation device carrying solar panels, that will be used in the Caribbean to create badly needed electricity, in areas where there is not enough landbank to provide the facilities. We used Autodesk CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation tools to undertake critical wind loading tests at 155mph to ensure the device would be fit for purpose and sustain hurricane conditions.”

Man and Machine helped one of the country’s leading suppliers of Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) products (e.g. door canopies) automate this process. Using their native design tool (Autodesk Inventor), Read explained how they have helped them use i-logic code to automatically generate the models in Revit. This has helped

Read summarises: “These types of challenges innovations provide competitive edge for our clients and whatever the sentiments following Brexit, we will continue to help our customers innovate, reduce waste, improve efficiency and drive productivity to allow them to prosper in uncertain economic times.”

The Annual Review

December 2018

EPLAN cuts design time for Scotrenewables Tidal Power CAE software provider EPLAN has worked with businesses across the UK and in a variety of industry sectors, applying its in-depth expertise and innovative products to reduce costs and project lead times.

Scotrenewables Tidal Power has recently joined the EPLAN customers enjoying these benefits; the company has purchased three licences of the powerful and versatile EPLAN Electric P8 design package, along with technical support, training and implementation from EPLAN. Scotrenewables is also making extensive use of the EPLAN Data Portal, a webbased resource that provides access to detailed component data on hundreds of thousands of electrical, mechanical, fluidic and pneumatic components.

Scotrenewables was founded in 2002 in Orkney to develop cost-effective floating tidal stream turbines. In 2016, it successfully launched the 2 MW SR2000 turbine that made history as the world’s largest tidal energy converter. The SR2000 utility scale prototype achieved its planned 2 MW peak generating capacity within just three weeks of commissioning, validating the technology approach at full commercial scale. It has produced 2,900 MWh to date and has at times supplied up to 25% of the electricity requirements of Orkney.

Wishing to cut design times while reducing errors, manage projects more efficiently and ensure consistent quality in its drawings and documentation, Scotrenewables decided to investigate options for using computer aided engineering software. Having found that EPLAN solutions best met its requirements, the company opted for three network licences of EPLAN Electric P8, complemented by one licence each for the Single Line Diagram and PLC & Bus Extension modules.

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EPLAN Electric P8 is an electrical engineering design software package that offers a comprehensive range of facilities for planning, documentation, and management of automation projects. Its key benefits include support for reusing design elements, which means that once developed, the same elements can be used in multiple projects. This not only saves time, but ensures consistency and minimises the risk of errors. EPLAN Electric P8 also automates the production of documentation, which means that all those working on a project, whether they are involved with production, assembly, commissioning, testing or subsequent day-to-day operation, always have access to detailed and accurate information.

“We are an innovative company and one of the leaders in the field of tidal power generation so we do a lot of original design work,” explained Trevor Walls, the Electrical Engineering Manager at Scotrenewables. “About two years ago we invested in EPLAN Electric P8, which makes easy work of dealing with our often complex control systems. The ability to import existing drawings, and to export new drawings when necessary, were big benefits for us, as so was access to the huge amount of component information that’s instantly available via the EPLAN Data Portal.”

“We quickly found that EPLAN Electric P8 is an excellent package but I have to be honest and say that at first it looked as if

it would take us a while to get into it,” continued Trevor. “We soon realised that we would need some help if we were going to get the best out of it, so we arranged for EPLAN to provide us with five days of on-site training, which proved to be an excellent investment. The trainers were very knowledgeable and helpful, and they certainly knew how to explain things clearly and well. Even though there are only three of us that use the EPLAN software regularly, we arranged for all our technicians to be trained, so that they could see the benefits of the system and understand the options it makes available for various projects.”

Dean Proctor, EPLAN’s Regional Sales Manager also commented on the company’s success: “Scotrenewables is one of the leading companies involved in the development of floating tidal stream turbines and so, represent an excellent reference for future discussions with renewable energy companies.”

Although it is only at the beginning of its journey alongside EPLAN, Scotrenewables has already seen a positive impact. By reducing design times and automating mundane jobs, the engineering team can focus on what it does best; tidal power innovations that provide reliable clean energy for the future. The company is also looking at acquiring EPLAN Fluid when the hydraulic element of their designs increases.

The Annual Review

December 2018 Radars simply mounted above the two vessels, looking through the top of the tank and measuring the liquid level inside, without any process connection at all!

Field mounted controllers ,with radar devices in the background, providing data and alarms as using the LAN for communications to both user and supplier

Contactless chemical level control with IIOT Simple remote inventory system using radar ensures resupply Halewood International have famous brands such as Whitley Neill Gin, Lambrini, Tequila Rose, Red Square and Crabbies in both the UK and Global markets.

Established in 1978 by John Halewood, they are the largest independent producer and distributor of alcoholic products by volume in the UK. At their main production site in Liverpool, Halewood have employed a novel approach to an important chemical level monitoring application with an innovative IIoT solution, to ensure their effluent is correctly treated and meets environmental requirements.

The water and liquid based processes for producing the beverages at the site of course produce effluents which, before discharging to the sewer network, require some treatment. This is mainly in the form of PH neutralisation and depending on the process, the waste stream is monitored and dosed with either Sulphuric Acid or Caustic to correct it. This dosing ‘balances’ the effluent before it goes into the sewer main and reaches the local treatment works. If the PH balance isn’t right, it can cause problems for the treatment processes downstream, which if extreme, could potentially incur fines. As a responsible manufacturer and local employer, Halewood takes its environmental responsibility seriously.

The job of ensuring supplies of both chemicals for the effluent dosing process used to require visual checks on the outside storage tanks. They were fitted with a ‘cat and

mouse’ float system, which is not always reliable: floats sticking, forgetting to make checks and misreads combined to cause regular errors in the ordering processes and deliveries. If the tanks ran out there could be incorrect PH of the effluent discharge.

In the other scenario, if a chemical tanker arrived and wasn’t able to fully discharge its load into the tanks, logistics return-load fines would be incurred. Expedited orders to replenish, or ‘demurrage’ fees for excess product returns, were costing time and money all-round. As level suppliers to the process, production and storage side on the site, VEGA were asked to look at supplying a solution that would monitor the tanks and provide data to both Halewood and the chemical suppliers about the tank levels.

It was solved using two VEGAPULS radars mounted above the vessels which can look THROUGH the vessel top and measure the liquid level INSIDE the tanks without requiring a nozzle. How is this possible?

As they use microwaves to measure liquid level, this means any non-metallic/nonconductive surface can be invisible to it and measure the liquid inside (just like the bowl in a microwave oven) and it works on virtually all plastics like GRP and PP (e.g. mobile IBC’s) tanks. In this application, the radars are each connected to a local

VEGAMET level controller with an Ethernet output, which connects directly into the Halewood LAN. This device is capable of providing live/daily readings of the tank levels, also has a simple web server page, integrated connection capability to VIS (VEGA Inventory System) a web or server hosted remote inventory system. It also has autonomous automated email/SMS text messages when alarm levels are reached, with hard-wired relay alarms too for local operator notifications.

The additional capability to ‘dial in’ via the network IP address to provide service for controller or sensor is an additional advantage. This simple IIoT solution connects the supplier up to optimise their deliveries and keeps Halewood informed about the levels in the tank for peace of mind.

Since installing the system, timely deliveries and chemical stocks have been upheld, along with maintaining the right effluent quality as it goes for treatment. The sensors have been installed with zero contact to these hazardous chemical products.

Time, fuel and money has been saved by shortening the supplier chain, as well as protecting the environment. The unique properties of non-contact radar, coupled with an IIoT level controller provided a simple, safe and effective solution.

The Annual Review

December 2018

With the ATEX/IECEx Zone 1 / Div. 1 certified industrial tablet Tab-Ex 02, the mobile worker can make data permanently available in real time over the entire process chain - at any location and at any time.

At SPS IPC Drives 2018 in Hall 7A, Stand 330, the Pepperl+Fuchs brand ecom presents the next generation of its groundbreaking feature phones and tablets for hazardous areas. The world premiere includes the in-house developed Ex-Handy 10 Featurephone and the ATEX/IECEx Zone 1/21; Div. 1 version of the industrial tablet Tab-Ex 02.

Ex-Handy 10 - Highest Performance, Software and Network Compatibility The inhouse developed Zone 1/21 certified 4G/LTE Featurephone Ex-Handy 10 with Android 8 operating system is the ideal enabler and companion for innovative industrial 4.0 applications in hazardous areas. The latest member of the ultra-robust Ex-Handy family, developed since 1994, enables the use of push-to-talk (PTT) solutions over 4G as well as private LTE and Wi-Fi networks.

This ensures optimum network coverage in all areas and situations – with low network latency and excellent data transfer rates.

Speakers positioned at the front of the mobile device provide optimal voice and sound quality – even in noisy environments.

Dedicated, easy-to-use side buttons – large PTT and red emergency button – allow quick access to PTT and alarm services via onetouch. In addition, the automatic, lone worker protection function can be implemented application-specifically and can (serverdependent) be integrated into the company’s IT. The high-resolution, brilliant display of the ExHandy 10 is protected by extremely resistant and scratchproof gorilla glass. It features protection class IP68 and withstands permissible ambient temperatures from -20 °C to +60 °C in harshest industrial environments. The feature phone offers maximum planning and investment security thanks to very long availability and support (5-year lifecycle) as well as global approvals (explosion-protection, country-specific product conformity and a wide variety of radio bands). With the Android 8 operating

system, continuous security updates via FOTA (Firmware Over the Air) and its own software development team, the Ex-Handy 10 is future-proof. In addition, its highly developed and powerful rechargeable battery paired with advanced energy management allows operating times above average. A consistent, compatible product ecosystem with its own 3.5 mm audio jack connector fixation concept and neues ecom Radio Speaker Microphone (RSM) as innovative PTT sets, scan applications and BLE beacons complete the offer.

Industrial Tablet Tab-Ex 02 now available for Zone 1 /21 The next highlight at the trade show in Nuremberg is the ATEX/IECEx Zone 1/21; Div. 1 version of the new industrial tablet Tab-Ex 02 as successor of the world’s first explosion-proof Android tablet TabEx 01. The Tab-Ex 02 combines highest performance with innovative applications such as augmented reality. Equipped with an Android 8 operating system, the Tab-Ex 02, based on the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active2, features a powerful Octa Core processor with 1.6 gigahertz and 3 gigabyte RAM. It is ideally suited for industry 4.0-capable applications and simplifies data exchange with SCADA/ DCS systems, merchandise management systems (SAP, IBM Maximo), project management systems and computer-aided system planning. The compact Tab-Ex 02 is the perfect and worldwide approved companion for various tasks, including inventory, material tracking, maintenance, supply chain and asset management up to a professional solution for lone worker protection.

Harness Synergies, increase Effectiveness and Safety At SPS IPC Drives, Pepperl+Fuchs and ecom demonstrate how customers benefit from an end-to-end, futureproof solution and global service portfolio for hazardous areas which offers completely new

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possibilities along the entire supply chain in terms of industry 4.0. The interaction of the latest sensor technology, smart HMI solutions and explosion-proof mobile devices helps companies to reduce costs, increase safety and ensure more effective processes and improved asset management.

In addition, employees, experts, teams or project groups can use professional industrial applications, make data available online in real time and thus collaborate more flexibly from any location. Push-totalk or video conferencing applications offer many advantages for documentation, remote diagnosis, maintenance and repair.

Experts don´t need to be in the plant or on site to make a remote diagnosis and give instructions for repairing the damage, thus no longer losing valuable time or incurring costs.

At the ecom and Pepperl+Fuchs exhibition stand (Hall 7A, Stand 330), visitors will gain insight into the comprehensive Mobile Worker Ecosystem and its large selection of hardware and application solutions.

Automation is our world. A Perfect application solution is our goal.

A willingness to take entrepreneurial risks, a pioneering spirit, and a firm belief in their own inventive powers – these were the assets that Walter Pepperl and Ludwig Fuchs started out with when they opened their Mannheim radio repair shop in 1945.

Their invention of the proximity switch a few years later proved their strength. It was also the starting point in a successful history defined by close customer relationships as well as innovative automation technologies and procedures. Then as now, our focus is directed squarely on the individual requirements of each customer. Whether as a pioneer in electrical explosion protection, or as a leading innovator of highly efficient sensors – the close communication with our customers is what allowed us to become the leader in automation technology. Our main objective is combining state-of-the-art technologies and comprehensive services to optimize our customers’ processes and applications.

For more information, please visit our website: www.pepperl-fuchs.com

The next generation of mobile solutions: the in-house developed 4G/LTE featurephone ExHandy 10 and the ATEX/IECEx Zone 1 / Div. 1 version of the industrial tablet Tab-Ex 02.

ecom introduces new flagships of its Featurephone and Tablet Series

Efficiency matters.

Reliability matters.

Safety matters.

In your world, it all matters.

This is why level matters.

Rag layers, foam and mud tanks. Scrubbers, shakers and steam. There are no excuses when you need the toughest level measurements. That’s why Magnetrol® matters. We have the deepest experience in your applications and the broadest portfolio of level instruments for your industry. Our experts will help you identif y ef ficiencies, lower costs, improve production and reduce downtime. It all mat ters. Because in your world, level matters.

©2018 Magnetrol International, Inc.

Connect with the level measurement experts at magnetrol.com

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The Annual Review

December 2018

EcoCooling

2018

summary

2018 has been an exciting year for EcoCooling, with the growing cryptocurrency sector boosting our IT cooling system sales significantly.

Working within this fast paced, innovative sector has assisted us to continue developing our CloudCooler range to become one of the lowest total cost of ownership free cooling systems available, with over 2000 deployed worldwide. Engineered to be rapidly deployed to remote locations with minimal requirements for qualified labour, the principles behind it underline our latest product offering, in the form of a mobile high performance computing containerised data centre. It has been developed to support the growing requirements of the low latency data processing infrastructure required for applications such as 5G, AI and smart cities.

While our IT products have been shipped to some of the remotest locations on earth, we have had significant success with our industrial EcoCooler range here in the UK. 74|

With the introduction of a larger unit and more advanced controls, developed as part of the IT range, we have been working with several large retailers, including GO Outdoors, to cool their large stores, saving them up to 90% on traditional air con systems to provide cool, fresh air to their customers and staff all year round. 2018’s extended and hot summer has driven home the requirement of comfort cooling in industrial premises and EcoCooling’s flexible range of solutions, as well as their extensive UK installer network has resulted in significant growth in the industrial UK sector.

In addition to a large increase in the demand for our industrial cooling products, the leisure industry has become one of the unlikely benefactors of our fresh air systems. The increase in gym and fitness facilities across the UK has led to a drive in demand for 24hr cooling systems that bring in fresh, cool air for customers during their workouts. A derivate of this is climbing walls and trampoline parks, whose requirements for cost effective cooling have meant that we have had several R&D projects working with top facilities developing different filtration and ventilation systems for their specific requirements. This includes climbing-wall and fitness centre Yonder in London, where we have installed a derivate of our IT cooling system to provide them with a temperaturecontrolled environment which filters out chalk from the air while also providing cooling when necessary.

What’s happening for 2019 – We are excited to have just moved into spacious new offices in Bury St Edmunds, we are looking to build on the principles of low total cost of ownership to simplify our product offerings and achieve optimum efficiencies for our end users. Watch this space for new products, exciting case studies, and a whole lot of energy saving!

SAVE UP TO 90% ON YOUR ENERGY COSTS THROUGH

EVAPORATIVE COOLING • Requires 90% less energy than air conditioning • No harmful refrigerants • Energy Efficient Natural Cooling - low carbon footprint • New build and retrofit UK-based with over 3500 installations worldwide; with clients including BT, Cummins Diesel, Premier Foods, Marks & Spencer, Net-a-Porter, Cambridge University, Talk Talk and CGG Veritas. Case studies online!

EcoCooling internal and external ranges Industrial Cooling: Provides 35kW of cooling for only 1.5kW of electricty. 14,000m3/hr of cool air for less than 12p per hour. ROI in under 3 years.

Data Centre Cooling: Acheive PUEs lower than 1.1 with ASHRAE compliant conditions. ROI in under 1 year.

New CloudCooler© range of internal Plug & Play, rapid deployment High Performance Computing (HPC) equipment coolers.

Large UK wide network of installers ready to quote on a solution to fit your needs.

sales@ecocooling.co.uk | T: 01284 810586 www.ecocooling.co.uk | www.cloudcooler.co.uk

The Annual Review

December 2018

Aeration & Mixing - VDF Hydrocyclones 2018 has been a seminal year for Aeration & Mixing’s range of Nikuni VDF innovative hydrocyclones. The launch of the Nikuni VDF CL-1000, a 1,000 lpm stainless steel hydrocyclone was an important step expanding the range.

This new level of capacity lends itself to centralised coolant systems and other large flow applications in media-free particle separation. One non-UK client purchased 10 units.

Like all the Nikuni VDF hydrocyclones, the large flow VDF CL-1000 is capable of separating 95% of aluminium particles down to 10um in just one pass. When cast iron is the target, 97% of particles down to 10um is again the standard one-pass performance. This level of separation is achieved without any filter media reducing operation costs and eliminating the cost of environmental disposal of contaminated filter media waste. The Nikuni VDF CL-1000 is available as a standard item in SCS13 cast stainless steel, but also available in Duplex steels.

Historically the use of Nikuni hydrocyclones was largely focused on the highly successful removal of metallic particles from machine tool coolants.

New uses extend to separating particles of diamond dust and hard metal powders from process waste, cleaning up feed water for large boilers and other similar applications.

In tests on diamond powders, a Nikuni VDF proved capable of extracting diamond particles at 4um. At these extremely small diameters the separated particles have to be gently extracted in a carrier fluid and carefully dried for further processes.

Nikuni’s sludge pod collection systems have proved of great value in consolidating separated particles for further use. The Nikuni sludge pod can be emptied manually or automatically as required and reduces the volume of fluid in circulation, thereby saving energy.

In one interesting development, one client found that by passing a hot process water containing a valuable metallic powder through a Nikuni

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multiple hydrocyclone installation fitted with automated sludge pods, material valued at a current market price of £25,000 could be extracted from each of five in-plant locations, a waste material recovery in the order of £125,000 per annum.

In this particular application the installation cost including labour was recovered in each location in less than nine months – a good example of targeted recycling project activity.

New projects on hand for Nikuni’s VDF hydrocyclones in 2019 include removing metal particles from steel works sludges, enabling a new level of recycling from waste dumped in landfill over a number of years and extracting granite powder from the machining of kitchen work tops.

Aeration & Mixing welcomes enquiries from any industry seeking to extract value from metallic and other particles in waste streams.

Protecting Your Plant Before

Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used whenever information or monitoring of shaft rotation, position, direction, speed, slip etc is required!

Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used for indication, control, interlocking, protection, sequencing, alarm initiations and many more functions!

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Monitoring the world

December 2018

New NSK flyer details latest roller bearings for continuous casting machines

N

SK has published a new flyer that details the full complement of recently introduced NUB series cylindrical roller bearings for continuous casting machines. Information is included on five newly released sizes to suit the most popular shaft diameters in the continuous casting industry.

Available are bearings with 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 mm internal diameters. NSK is now working on the development of further sizes for the series, which will be released in the near future.NUB cylindrical roller bearings are designed specifically for highly demanding steel industry applications, particularly the nondriven side of strand guide rolls, such as those found in the straightening section of continuous casting machines.

NUB roller bearings offer users many unique benefits. For instance, the bearings not only have the ability to handle thermal expansion of the shaft, but can accommodate misalignments of the strand guide rolls as large as 12 angular minutes.

Importantly – and unlike competitor bearings for continuous casting machine applications – these two attributes of NUB series bearings function in unison. To explain further, as the inner ring offsets the outer ring under thermal expansion, it does so without compromising the bearing’s misalignment compensation

capabilities. Selfalignment is facilitated through a proprietary internal design with special profiling on the rings and rollers. In the continuous casting process, one strand has multiple sections, each of which can comprise various segments. Once the cast slab has left the mould it proceeds through sections that include the bender and the bow, before passing via a straightener section to the horizontal withdrawal section, after which it is cut to length and left to cool. A single strand strand can have between 10 to 17 segments, distributed among the various sections.

With hundreds of bearings located on a typical strand, not to mention that some continuous casting shops run two parallel strands, the bearings are process-critical. However, such bearings have to endure demanding operating conditions, not least high levels of mechanical stress, as well as liquid and mist cooling water.

In addition, the very low speeds (less than 10 rpm) of the roller table drives can be problematic for traditional spherical roller bearings as their design imposes very tough lubrication requirements.

In contrast to conventional roller bearings, pure rolling friction occurs in NUB bearings thanks to predominant line contact in the raceway. Friction is therefore lower and wear is reduced.

Straightforward installation is another benefit, whereby snap rings are deployed to prevent accidental disassembly during mounting/ dismounting and handling.

Diagram showing a typical segment on a strand section at a continuous casting shop

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Compared with the previous generation series, NSK’s NUB

Five popular sizes of NSK NUB series cylindrical roller bearings are now available, with more in development

bearings are able to treble service life, even when faced with the demanding environmental conditions of strand guide rolls. For this reason, the bearings help facilitate cost-effective, continuous and highly-productive steel manufacturing with reduced cost of ownership.

The new flyer for NUB series cylindrical roller bearings is available online at www.nsk-literature.com/en/ nub-series.

For further information about NSK’s solutions for continuous casting machines, please consult the NSK Europe website at www. nskeurope.com/steel-and-metals-60. htm#tab884.

December 2018

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December 2018

Dual redundant angle position sensing for safety critical tasks

Dynali’s H3 EasyFlyer Sport ultralight helicopter

Dual redundant angle position sensing for safety critical tasks: Dynali’s ultralight helicopter includes Variohm Euro XPD series Hall Effect angle sensors

T

he Dynali Helicopter Company, based in Thines - Belgium, designs and manufactures the H3 EasyFlyer Sport ultralight helicopter. The market leading two-seater microlight helicopter offers affordable pricing for both for purchase and operation and is aimed at utility, flight training and leisure use. As part of the sensing and measurement equipment on board the H3, Variohm EuroSensor supplies its Euro XPD series Hall Effect angle sensors with dual redundant output to provide position feedback for the throttle valve as well the aircraft’s collective climb and descend position.

The H3 is an ultralight two-seat helicopter with a sideby-side cabin configuration. Designed to meet the latest global standards in the aviation industry whilst keeping all elements of the design very simple, a 4 cylinder – 1350 cc engine for 110 HP powers the aircraft.

An over-dimensioned monobloc tubular stainless steel chassis carries all the principal components including engine block, cabin, tail structure and all the main and rear rotor transmission mechanics. The high-strength steel main rotor is controlled by rigid rods via a swashplate mechanism with the main rotor blades are manufactured in extruded aluminium or optionally in carbon. On-site manufacturing and careful selection of appropriate materials ensures that the H3 EasyFlyer Sport offers the highest possible level of safety and simplicity.

The H3’s throttle assembly with Variohm’s Euro XPD angle sensor

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For the throttle valve, the Variohm Euro XPD position sensor is factory configured for a range of 120° with a 135 ° offset (relative to the cable outlet), with its ratiometric output signal at 5% to 95% of the of the 5 VDC input signal. For the collective climb and descend position, a different factory set up is provided. Both variants for Dynali include

special cable and connector assemblies.

As standard, the Euro XPD angle sensor series offers dual-track redundancy for safety-critical use with a full 360 degree range, or with factory configured angle output from 20? up to 360?. Variohm EuroSensor hold stocks of the Euro XPD which can be shipped, fully programmed, within 24 hours of order receipt.

The fully encapsulated sensor is available in 32 and 38 mm diameter housing options and includes IP68 environmental protection and extreme resilience for shock and vibration. A reinforced mounting-flange with stainless steel kidney washers adds further durability. 8 mm D-Shaft mechanical interfacing and non-contacting Hall Effect technology offers simple yet effective installation and extremely long operational life - in excess of 50 million movements.

The couplingfree sensor has a strong pedigree for throttle position sensing in professional motorsports and other arduous high-duty cycle position feedback Front and rear views of Variohm’s applications.

Euro XPD angle sensor Variohm EuroSensor is a UK designer, manufacturer and distribution partner for leading global sensor component suppliers offering a comprehensive range of sensor technologies including linear and rotary position, load, force, vibration and temperature. Variohm provides complete pre-sale and post-sale application support for demanding measurement applications throughout industry, agriculture, construction, autosports and research. www.variohm.com

December 2018

CNC ROUTERS & LASER CUTTERS

Fluid Carrying

Introducing the NEW CNC Routers This new range of affordable CNC Routers from ATA Engineering offers the same high quality build that you come to expect from a company that has been supplying CNC’s for over 20 years, along with support and technical back up.

Standard sizes: 8 x 4, 10 x 5, 3m x 2m (Special sizes available on request) Call for more information or a demonstration, or visit www.atacam.co.uk

Introducing the NEW CNC Laser Cutters

Flexibility Articulated Torsion Pipework In Hoses Rotating Cylinders

The NEW ATACAM range of Laser Cutters includes models for both metalic and non-metalic materials. They are equiped with co2 laser tubes, which can be used for cutting metalsheet such as carbon steel, stainless steel and non-metalic materials such as acrylic, MDF, plywood, etc.

Swivel Joints Swivel joints allow pipework to pressure 1/4” to 40” and beyond.

Vacuum to over 20,000psi.

Stock and bespoke production.

Unique bearing/seal design for longer life.

ISO 9001 CE marked where applicable.

Model AL1390 (pictured) for Non Metalic cutting and Model ALM1390 for Metalic and Non Metalic cutting.

Call for more information or a demonstration, or visit www.atacam.co.uk ATA Engineering Processes Ltd ATA House, Unit B, Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7SS t: 01442 264411 e: sales@ataeng.com www.ataeng.com

Tel:

Bingswood Trading Estate Whaley Bridge | High Peak | SK23 7LY | UK

+44(0)1663 735003

E-mail:

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December 2018

Enrichment of the mk Profile System Two round variants will expand the existing aluminium profile crosssections from the extensive mk profile system.

Two profile cross-sections with a diameter of 28 mm as well as a small number of form-fitting and stable connecting elements will soon expand the mk profile system. The new D28 round tube system was developed for lean production purposes to provide more streamlined and economical use of production resources. Almost any design for individual workshop and assembly equipment can be built using only 13 standard components.

Benefits

Whether for supply trolleys, shelves, racks or extensions for workstations, the easy-to-use D28 round pipe system means that a single person can put together brand new structures or extensions with little effort. Profile machining is not required for the solid and load-bearing construction of standard elements.

The D28 round pipe system is compatible with the mk 40 series profiles, offering the possibility to combine square and round cross sections. This combines the advantages of both series, ensuring high stability and versatility as well as weight and cost savings.

The system can also be combined with round tube components from other market leaders, making it easy to expand any existing designs. In some cases, the range of functions and stiffness are even more extensive thanks to the innovative profile cross-section.

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•

Simple, fast and economical design

•

Fast integration of existing applications

•

Very easy installation with little effort

•

Durable sturdy connection technology

•

Easy connection to 40 series mk profiles with no need for profile processing

•

Additional connection without obstructing edges using mk clamping connectors

•

Fully compatible with round tube profiles of 28mm diameter

•

Degree of assembly freely selectable (components, assemblies, complete solutions)

•

Particularly light profile at 0.6 kg/m

www.mkprofiles.co.uk

D28 Round Tube System for fast and easy Constructions Simple, fast and economical design Quick modification of existing applications Durable and sturdy connection technology

www.mkprofiles.co.uk

December 2018

Flexibility, innovation and personalisation top list of purchasers’ needs from distributors, say reichelt elektronik New research by one of Europe’s largest online electrical distributors, reichelt elektronik, has revealed that the most important factor when choosing a distributor to work with is stock availability, with speedy delivery a close second (38 per cent and 37 per cent respectively).

A

ccording the research of 300 UK employees in the engineering sector, conducted by OnePoll, low pricing was ranked as the third most important factor, suggesting buyers are willing to pay extra for a quality, fast service.

That being said, 71 per cent of buyers still expect distributors to have good prices for their products as standard. 68 per cent also expect high quality and 65 per cent expect fast delivery times.

The top improvement customers would like to see from distributors is more flexibility offered in delivery bottlenecks, either through alternative sources or manufacturers for the most sought-after products.

Bottlenecks occur most often when ordering drive technology (23 per cent), capacitors (20 per cent) and sensors (22 per cent). Purchasers have the least problems when buying trimmers or ICs. This plus more innovative products and greater personalisation for sourcing special parts are all more

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important than being given a better shopping experience on ecommerce platforms or customer service across a range of platforms. This is perhaps surprising given the rise of online retailing.

With many Brits in the engineering sector purchasing from an average of seven suppliers, choosing the best companies to work with who can meet requirements is crucial. Good partnerships are valued amongst buyers, with 71 per cent of participants citing a personal relationship with the distributor as being very important.

Only 3 per cent said other priority factors were more important.

Thomas Kruse, product manager at reichelt, says, “Establishing a good relationship with distributors is fundamental to the client/supplier partnership and something that we pride ourselves on at reichelt.

Through understanding the specific requirements of the customer and how they operate, distributors can deliver quality products according to their timescales and offer the personalised, flexible service that is being asked for.”

December 2018

Yokogawa adds to OpreX Control and Safety System family with development of redundancy software platform for use with PCs Ensuring the high availability of systems in the OpreX Control category

hardware or add a function to the PC software.

About Yokogawa

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has announced that it has developed a software platform that enables software packages to run on generalpurpose computers in a redundant configuration, and has added this to its OpreXTM Control and Safety System family. This redundancy software will help raise the availability of all the solutions that make up Yokogawa’s OpreX Control category of systems, software, and devices.

By making a system redundant, high availability can be achieved. The first software packages based on this platform will be released in March of next year. These are the ‘Exaopc OPC interface package’ and the ‘Exapilot operation efficiency improvement package’At a later date, Yokogawa plans to incorporate this redundancy software into other packages which make up the OpreX Control family to achieve further enhanced availability in plant operations.

Founded in 1915, Yokogawa engages in broad-ranging activities in the areas of measurement, control, and information. The industrial automation business provides vital products, services, and solutions to a diverse range of process industries including oil, chemicals, natural gas, power, iron and steel, and pulp and paper. With the life innovation business the company aims to radically improve productivity across the pharmaceutical and food industry value chains. The test & measurement, aviation, and other businesses continue to provide essential instruments and equipment with industry-leading precision and reliability. Yokogawa co-innovates with its customers through a global network of 112 companies spanning 61 countries, generating US$3.8 billion in sales in FY2017. For more information, please visit www. yokogawa.com/

Development Background About Yokogawa Europe B.V. Our industrial infrastructure depends on having highly reliable systems that will keep running even when a fault occurs. Such systems often have redundant features such as a hardware control unit with the same functional capabilities that are ready to take over in the event of a fault in the primary hardware unit. Yokogawa’s ‘CENTUMTM VP integrated production control system’, ‘ProSafeTM-RS safety instrumented system’, and ‘STARDOMTM networkbased control system’ all achieve high availability and reliability thanks to the use of such redundant hardware.

Manufacturing execution systems (MES) and other types of applications typically run on a general-purpose PC that is not set up for use with another PC in a redundant configuration. To accomplish that, it is necessary to either install some kind of dedicated

The European headquarters of Yokogawa were founded in Amersfoort in the Netherlands in 1982. Throughout Europe Yokogawa has its own sales, service and engineering operations. This dedicated network has been extended to Central and East Europe to further enhance the coverage and support.

Many Yokogawa customers have expressed an interest in a solution that would enable them to achieve a redundant configuration at a reasonable cost. To satisfy this need, Yokogawa has developed this software platform.

PC to the standby PC that takes no longer than one second to complete, which is well within the operating parameters of oil, petrochemical, chemical, and other process facilities, where the collection of data and the issuance of control commands based on that information typically takes a few seconds or more. Since the data and status information on the two PCs is always synchronised, processing can continue without interruption, even when the system is performing sequential control of multiple tasks. This feature minimises the probability of any loss of data and ensures there is no interruption in control. This software thus ensures the high availability of the systems that make up a vital part of our industrial infrastructure.

Long-term operational support with online PC replacement General-purpose PCs often remain in use for years in plants, and need to be replaced when they grow outmoded or fail. Thanks to this software that enables applications to run in a redundant configuration, an outmoded or defective PC can be replaced while the system is online. It is even possible to operate different PC models in a redundant configuration providing they have been tested and approved by Yokogawa. This will help customers operate their systems stably over long periods of time and improve productivity.

Major Target Markets Process industries such as electric power, water supply and wastewater treatment, industrial water, semiconductors, foods and pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, pulp and paper, oil, petrochemicals, and chemicals.

Applications

Features High availability If a fault occurs, this software initiates a transfer of control from the active

Configuration of a high-availability redundant system using two PCs.

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December 2018

MBA Engineering becomes sole UK distributor of Remmert’s marketleading automation and storage solutions As one of the most forwardthinking laser cutting and metal fabrication equipment suppliers in the industry, MBA Engineering is always looking for ways in which to improve and enhance the services it offers its customers.

This dedication to customers has led to MBA Engineering setting up a series of exclusive distribution partnerships with some of the most pioneering machinery and equipment suppliers in the industry.

The latest partnership has seen MBA Engineering boost its offering by becoming the sole UK distributor of the market-leading automation and storage solutions from Remmert.

Established in 1945 in Germany, Remmert develops individual and flexible automated storage systems for a host of varying long goods and sheet metal storage requirements.

One of the main reasons Bradley McBain, managing director at MBA Engineering, was attracted to becoming Remmert’s exclusive UK partner was the company’s LaserFLEX technology.

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LaserFLEX offers the fastest solution for fully automated loading and unloading of laser cutting systems. The technology can simultaneously load and unload raw materials from up to four laser cutting machines as part of a fully automated process – irrespective of whether the laser cutting machines are made by the same manufacturer. What impressed Bradley most about the technology is the reduction in downtime the automated system offers manufacturers.

“In an industry where time is money, reducing downtime wherever possible is a major objective for manufacturers,” says Mr McBain.

“Research by the team at Remmert has revealed that the automated nature of the LaserFLEX system means it only needs 60 seconds to load and unload materials from a laser cutting machine – making it the quickest system on the market.

This evidence alone was a key reason behind our decision to become the sole distributor of the technology in the UK.” These quick material changes are all down to LaserFLEX’s two automated units. After cutting the sheet metal, the system’s fork unit

lifts the material from the laser’s changing table. Simultaneously, the technology’s vacuum unit picks up a new metal sheet from the connected storage system and loads it into the machine.

Bradley concludes: “The potential for automation in sheet metal processing is vast, however, material flow needs to be correctly aligned before automated solutions are implemented.

“This is where Remmert comes in – the technology revolutionises the way in which manufacturers conduct their production processes. I’d urge laser users to get in touch to find out more about how Remmert’s LaserFLEX technology could streamline their metal fabrication processes.”

Further enhancing the services it offers manufacturers, Remmert will shortly be introducing an intelligent solution which will enable companies within the sheet metal processing sector to raise their material flow rate to an even higher level. SortFLEX – Remmert’s new module for fully automatic sorting – will be available to customers worldwide from summer 2019.

More information on MBA Engineering and Remmert is available at www.mba-eng.co.uk

Introducing leading automation and storage solutions from Remmert Remmert develops individual and ďŹ&#x201A;exible automated storage systems for a host of varying long goods and sheet metal storage requirements, as well as LaserFLEX technology. These innovative solutions are now available exclusively through MBA Engineering, a supplier of leading metal fabrication machinery, oďŹ&#x20AC;ering some of the most innovative equipment in the industry.

For more information about MBA Engineering call 0330 058 8325 or visit www.mba-eng.co.uk

December 2018

HxGN SmartNet now supports Galileo, BeiDou in Great Britain Hexagon’s Geosystems division announced today HxGN SmartNet in Great Britain (GB) now supports additional new GNSS satellite signals from the European Galileo and Chinese BeiDou constellations, providing added value for subscribers.

W

ith the recent Ordnance Survey (OS) GB modernisation programme of OS Net reference stations, it is now possible to receive and use the additional new GNSS signals. As of August, the Galileo constellation has 17 operational satellites with five new satellites in commissioning. BeiDou has 12 GNSS satellites with a further six satellites scheduled for launch later this year and global coverage expected by 2020. Once these are operational, and with further launches planned in the coming years, use of multi-GNSS is set to only improve.

“Our upgrade to next generation, OS Net reference station infrastructure underpins mapping across Great Britain and offers an improved level of service to GNSS users by now adding the Galileo and BeiDou

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signals,” said Dr. Paul Cruddace, Ordnance Survey business change and innovation manager.

“As an OS partner, HxGN SmartNet was the first commercial network RTK service in Great Britain. Launched in 2005, today it is still the leading choice for users up and down the country,” said Martin Edwards, HxGN SmartNet commercial manager for the UK. “Continuous investment in HxGN SmartNet brings real tangible benefits to our subscribers as more GNSS signals improve productivity and pushes the boundaries in challenging canyon and canopy environments.”

With an even greater number of signals available, Hexagon’s latest self-learning GNSS series is able to use the best available signals to deliver the optimal computed

position. This ensures improved geometry, a greater potential to achieve RTK fixes, and reduced multipath effects. The higher reliability of the position enables users to provide more accurate results with the most efficient operations.

“Since 2009, many Leica Geosystems GNSS receivers have been future-proof, hardware-ready for full GNSS availability,” said Mark Francis, Leica Geosystems Geomatics UK market segment manager. “Now with the new support in HxGN SmartNet, and more available satellites, our users can realise an even better return on their investment, working in areas that were previously difficult to survey.”

To learn more, please visit https:// hxgnsmartnet.com/en-GB/

December 2018

‘SMART’ SENSOR PROVIDES CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK & DIAGNOSTICS A smart valve sensor which provides continuous feedback and essential diagnostics to help plant operators ensure optimum process performance has recently been introduced by sensor specialist ifm electronic.

The MVQ smart valve sensor provides outstanding, all-round position visibility with bright multicoloured LED indication helping plant operators to monitor the flow of media from a distance.

For example, is the valve open or closed? Is the valve opening fully?

Or is it blocked by deposits?

Is it closed properly, or is the seal wearing?

If used as a standard sensor the MVQ will provide 3 switched signals for the valve position.

However, thanks to the integrated IO-Link interface the sensor becomes a real-time diagnostic device providing continuous realtime feedback, as opposed to a simple, less sophisticated valve position sensor.

The fine resolution of just 0.1º provides operators with accurate information on the conditions inside the valve, with adjustable tolerances to allow for different types of media and the age of the valve. In addition, the MVQ can also measure the time taken

for the valve to move, alerting operators to the possible need for maintenance.

Any end position of the valve and the size of the sensing range can also be set. Also, a third switch point can be selected, for example for 3-way valves or for a diagnostic alarm. This flexible configuration is enabled with the smart valve sensor by the ifm application software LR Device or an inductive ‘teach button’.

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Directory

December 2018

T&D Corporation Mr Minoru Ito, European Sales Office, Gronauer Straße 1, 61194 Niddatal, Germany 0049 (0)6034 930970 europe.office@tandd.de www.tandd.com

ECi Software Solutions Si One, St Ives Business Park, Parsons Green, St Ives, PE27 4AA +44 (0) 333 123 0333 www.eci.eu eu-sales@ecisolutions.com

Unit 3A, Whitworth Court, Manor Park, Runcorn WA7 1WA. Tel.: (0044)-330 002 0640, sales@odu-uk.co.uk www.odu-uk.co.uk

Aztec Environmental Head Office, Aztech Environmental Services, The Stables, Llwyndu Court, Abergavenny, NP7 7HG 01873 850222, info@aztechindustrial.com www.aztechenvironmentalservices.co.uk

Phoenix Mecano Ltd

Precision Technology Supplies Ltd

26 Faraday Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8RY +44 (0)1296 611660 www.phoenix-mecano.co.uk

The Birches Industrial Estate, East Grinstead, RH19 1XZ, United Kingdom +44 (0)1342 410758, info@pts-uk.com http://www.pts-uk.com

Monitran

Ecopac (UK) Power Ltd

Monitran Ltd, Monitor House, 33 Hazlemere Road, Penn, HP10 8AD, UK T: +44 (0)1494 816569 E: info@monitran.com www.monitran.com

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ODU-UK LTD.

Unit 4, Ridgeway, Crendon Industrial Area, Long Crendon, Bucks, HP18 9BF Tel: +44 1844204420 www.ecopacpower.co.uk

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